The Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo is getting $460,000 from the federal government to market itself around the world.
The money comes from the Marquee Tourism Event Program, which funnels money to high-profile tourist attractions like the Calgary Stampede and Toronto International Film Festival.
The Tattoo funding will be put towards raising the event’s profile, particularly in international markets such as Europe.
“Nova Scotians and Canadians are all proud of this special production, which has been a long-standing summer tradition and is really a mainstay of our province,” said Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency Minister Peter MacKay at yesterday’s announcement at the World Trade and Convention Centre.
The Tattoo had already received $500,000 in ACOA money from the government to install a new sound system.
The Tattoo, which is celebrating its 30th anniversary, is expected to be a big tourism draw to Halifax. Organizers claim tourists who saw the show in 2008 brought almost $53 million to the province.
“With this help from the federal government, which is so important to us, we will now be able to enhance our international marketing, and as a result stimulate the economy of this province,” said Tattoo artistic director Ian Fraser.
The Tattoo runs until July 8 at the Halifax Metro Centre with the three-hour show including acts from Canada, the United States, Germany and Great Britain. Adult tickets range from $31 to $62.
