This document analyzes the target market for tourism in Nova Scotia, focusing on baby boomer couples from the United States. It identifies that baby boomers aged 50-68 from New England and the Mid-Atlantic states are most likely to visit, as they have the highest incomes, education levels, and proximity to Nova Scotia. The natural landscapes, variety of outdoor activities like hiking and beaches, and cultural experiences in Nova Scotia's history and crafts are highly appealing to active and culturally-minded baby boomers.
1. 1
TARGET MARKET ANALYSIS
Nova Scotia Mahone Bay
Source:http://www.privateislandnews.com
2. 2
This section of marketing plan will analyze a group of U.S. visitors who will most likely travel to
Nova Scotia. The target market can be narrowed down based on the demographic and
psychographic information of the U.S. visitors.
Demographic Profile
We will target U.S. visitors who meet criteria in the following groups: age, income, region,
education and marital status.
Age
The best segment to target for travel to Nova Scotia are baby boomers. Born between 1946 and
1964, baby boomers are currently aged from 50 to 681
. Approximately 84.6 percent of baby
boomers choose travel and tourism for leisure.2
A large portion of U.S. visitors to Nova Scotia was made up of baby boomers in 2010.3
In 2010,
about 54 percent of U.S tourists travel to Nova Scotia in 2010 were couples aged from 45 to 74.4
Based on a 2013 report, the average age of U.S. visitors to Nova Scotia falls between ages of 55
and 65.5
Income
The targeted travelers are married couples with an annual household income of $70,000 or
higher. In 2010, the median household income for domestic U.S. travelers who travel for leisure
was $62,5006
. Because of the 1.08677
exchange rate of U.S. dollar to Canadian dollar, the
estimated household income of U.S. visitors to Nova Scotia should be higher than $62,500.
According to the Nova Scotia government, U.S. visitors traveling to Nova Scotia in 2010 spent
around $1688.8
In 2013, the average spending fell between $1,000 and 1,5009
. This spending
expenditure indicates that traveling to Nova Scotia is affordable for baby boomers with an annual
household income over $70,000.
Region
We will target baby boomers who reside in the Mid-Atlantic and
New England areas of United States (Figure 1)10
. As shown in
Table 1, 30 percent of U.S. visitors travel to Nova Scotia were
from New England and seventeen percent came from Mid-
Atlantic11
in 2013. This pattern can be explained by the proximity
of these two regions to Nova Scotia.
Figure
1:
Map
Of
Region
Of
Target
Market
Source:
U.S.
Census
Bureau
3. 3
The partnership between Canada and United States also has an influence on the geographical
profile of our target12
. According to the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership agreement13
, the
Mid-Atlantic is the priority market of Nova Scotia14
. As a result, we should focus advertising
specifically on travelers in these two areas.
Education
Our segment to target are baby boomers who have a bachelor’s degree or higher. Baby boomers
have a higher level of education than any generation before them15
with 28.5 percent16
of them
holding a bachelor’s degree or higher. According to Nova Scotia Tourism Agency, 51% of U.S.
visitors to Nova Scotia graduated with a bachelor’s degree17
.
Figure 2: ACS Educational Attainment by Degree-Level and Age-Group
Source: U.S. Census Bureau, 2011 American Community Survey
30%
17%
18%
10%
25%
Table
1:
PORTION
OF
ESTIMATED
VISITATION
OF
U.S.
VISITORS
TO
NOVA
SCOTIA
BY
ORIGIN
2013
New
England
Middle
AtlanHc
South
AtlanHc
East
North
Central
Other
4. 4
According to Figure 2, adults aged 45 to 64 who live in our targeted region (New England and
Mid-Atlantic) have a higher than average 28.6 percentage to own a Bachelor’s degree or higher18
.
Since baby boomers are the majority of people aged between 45 and 64, those who live in the
targeted area have higher education level than others.
Marital status
Our target market are married baby boomer couples who have no children or no longer need to
financially support their children. According to 2010 Nova Scotia Visitor Exist Survey, 36
percent of visitors to Nova Scotia are couples19
. Baby boomers prefer traveling without their
children20
. When travelling, boomers feel closer to their spouse 21
and even feel like newlyweds
without the children around22
.
Psychographic Profile
While it is important to know the demographics of our target market, it is also crucial to
understand their lifestyle, activities and interests.
Lifestyle
For baby boomers, travelling is a necessity, not
a luxury23
. According to research, boomers
spend an average of $3,000 on vacation travel
annually24
and take two to four trips each year25
.
When travelling, baby boomers seize for “active”
relaxation activities26
. For example, golfing27
.
Unlike their parents who prefer travelling until
retirement28
, baby boomers have started
travelling for relaxation at a much younger age29
.
Figure 3:Golfing At Cabot Links In Nova Scotia
Source: http://www.nytimes.com
Baby boomers desire unique culture and unconventional things30
in travel as viewing themselves
as “forever young.”31
Boomers yearn for observations and experiences different from what are
offered at home32
. Baby boomers prefer culturally-oriented trips target historic or education33
which can satiate their intellectual curiosity34
.
While travelling, baby boomers embrace freedom35
. Boomers rebel at structures36
and prefer to
explore travel destinations on their own37
. However, baby boomers welcome the convenience of
a vacation package to avoid stress38
.
Outdoor Activities
Baby boomers will be drawn to Nova Scotia for their physically active nature and adventurous
spirit.39
According to research, boomers are more likely to participate soft adventures under
5. 5
controlled conditions40
. During vacations, boomers prefer activities that are less physically
demanding41
.
The outstanding natural landscape and various outdoor activities are significant issues when
boomers travel to Nova Scotia42
. According to table 2, the most popular outdoor activities in
Nova Scotia are beach exploring (81%), hiking (75%), coastal sightseeing (71%) and nature
observing (63%)43
. The variety of outdoor activities in Nova Scotia can fulfill the needs of
adventurous boomers44
.
Cultural Exploring
Baby boomers travel to Nova Scotia because of their enthusiasm in looking for unique cultural
experiences45
. According to Nova Scotia Tourism Agency, cultural enthusiasts to Nova Scotia
are mostly baby boomers46
. While travelling, baby boomers prefer authentic experiences that
makes them more intimate to people47
.
Nova Scotia’s culture is a mix of
Acadian, Mi'kmaq, Scottish and
African Nova Scotian foundations48
.
Nova Scotia’s multi-cultural
background will fulfill baby
boomers’ need on educational
vacations49
. According to Table 3,
the most popular cultural attractions
in Nova Scotia include: craft shops
(92%), museums and historic sites
(87%), and the Halifax Waterfront
(70%)50
.
Whale
watching
Swimming/sunbathing
Nature
observing
Coastal
sightseeing
Hiking
Beach
exploring
Table 2: 2010 Nova Scotia Outdoor Activity
Participation Rate
Outdoor
Enthusiasts
37%
38%
49%
70%
87%
92%
Nightclubs/lounges
Parks,fossils,geo
sites
Art
galleries
Halifax
Waterfront
Museums
CraU
shops/studios
Table 3: 2010 Nova Scotia Cultural
Avtivity Participation Rate
Cultural
Enthusiasts
6. 6
Conclusion
As the most traveled generation in history, baby boomers made up a great percentage in U.S.
visitors travel to Nova Scotia. Couples aged 50 to 68 who live in New England and Mid-Atlantic
of the United States are most likely to visit Nova Scotia in the future. The outstanding natural
landscape, variety of outdoor activities, and diversity of cultures in Nova Scotia makes a perfect
match to the active and culturally open-minded baby boomers.
7. 7
References
1
Lynda J. Sperazza, Priya Banerjee. Baby Boomers & Seniors: A Leisure Value Study. Journal Of
Unconventional Parks, Tourism & Recreation Research, 2010. Vol.3, No.1, p.1.
2
Ibid.p.19.
3
Nova Scotia Tourism Agency. Nova Scotia Outdoor Enthusiasts Profile. 2010. p.1-4 [online]. Available
at: http://novascotiatourismagency.ca/sites/default/files/page_documents/outdoor_enthusiasts.pdf
[Accessed Apr.2014]
4
Nova Scotia Tourism Agency. Nova Scotia Tourism Market Profile: United States. 2010. p.1-4 [online]
Available at: http://novascotiatourismagency.ca/sites/default/files/page_documents/market_profile_us.pdf
[Accessed Apr.2014]
5
NSTA. United States. 2014. [online] Available at: http://novascotiatourismagency.ca/united-states
[Accessed 27 Apr.2014]
6
U.S. Travel Association. Travel Facts and Statistics U.S. Travel Association, 2014. [online] Available at:
http://www.ustravel.org/news/press-kit/travel-facts-and-statistics [Accessed Apr.2014]
7
Bank Of Canada. Daily Currency Converter.2011. [online] Available at:
http://www.bankofcanada.ca/rates/exchange/daily-converter/ [Accessed May.2014]
8
Government Of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Tourism Market Profile: United States. p.1
9
NSTA. United States.
10
Ibid.
11
NSTA. Nova Scotia Visitor Origin. 2013. p.4 [online] Available at:
https://novascotiatourismagency.ca/sites/default/files/page_documents/english_visits_jan-_dec.pdf
[Accessed 13 Mar.2013]
12
NSTA. United States.
13
Ibid.
14
Ibid.
15
U.S. History website. Baby Boom Generation. 2014.[online] Available at: http://www.u-s-
history.com/pages/h2061.html [Accessed May.2014]
16
Ibid.
17
Nova Scotia Tourism Agency. Nova Scotia Cultural Enthusiasts Profile. 2010. p.2 [online].Available at:
http://novascotiatourismagency.ca/sites/default/files/page_documents/cultural_enthusiasts.pdf [Accessed
May.2014]
8. 8
18
Higheredinfor.org. ACS Educational Attainment by Degree-Level and Age Group (American
Community Survey). [online] Available at: http://www.higheredinfo.org/dbrowser/index.php?measure=93
[Accessed May.2014]
19
Nova Scotia Department Of Economic And Rural Development And Tourism, (n.d.). 2010 Nova Scotia
Visitor Exit Survey. p.10
20
Stageoflife.com. Statistics on Baby Bommers, Empty Nests and Retirement. 2014.[online] Available at:
http://www.stageoflife.com/StageRetirement/OtherResources/Statistics_about_Baby_Boomers_and_Retir
ement.aspx [Accessed May.2014]
21
Ibid.
22
Ibid.
23
Kim Ross, 13 Truths About Baby Boomer Travel. The Association of Travel Marketing Executives,
2012, p.1-3 [online] Available at: http://www.atme.org/pubs/archives/77_253_1108.cfm [Accessed May
2014].
24
Los Angeles Times Articles, (2008). Baby boomers spend $3,000 a year on trips, but leave the kids at
home. [online] Available at: http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/06/news/la-trb-baby-boomers-travel-
20131205 [Accessed May.2014]
25
Ibid.
26
Kevin Williams. Baby Boomers Travel: Get to know the Market. Hotelecutive.com. [online]Available
at: http://hotelexecutive.com/business_review/1305/baby-boomer-travel-get-to-know-the-market
[Accessed May.2014]
27
Ibid.
28
Ibid.
29
Ibid.
30
Ibid.
31
Kim Ross. 13 Truths About Baby Boomer Travel.
32
Kevin Williams. Baby Boomers Travel: Get to know the Market.
33
Jody Smith. Travel Industry Plus Baby Boomers: A Match Made In Heaven. Seniorlifepage.com.
[online] Available at: http://seniorlifepage.com/travel-industry-plus-baby-boomers-match-made-in-
heaven.html [Accessed May.2014]
34
Rocketswag.com. Baby Boomers Travel Habits. [online] Available at:
http://www.rocketswag.com/retirement/baby-boomer/Baby-Boomers-travel-habits.html [Accessed
May.2014]
35
Kevin Williams. Baby Boomers Travel: Get to know the Market.
9. 9
36
Ibid.
37
Ibid.
38
Ibid.
39
Babyboomerstraveling.com. Why Are Baby Boomers Important To Tourism. 2014. [online].
http://www.babyboomerstraveling.com/who-are-the-baby-boomers/why-are-baby-boomers-important-to-
tourism/ [Accessed May.2014]
40
Babyboomerstraveling.com. What Boomers Need. 2014. [online].
http://www.babyboomerstraveling.com/who-are-the-baby-boomers/what-boomers-need/ [Accessed
May.2014]
41
Ibid.
42
Government Of Nova Scotia. Nova Scotia Outdoor Enthusiasts Profile. p.1-4
43
Ibid.
44
Babyboomerstraveling.com. What Boomers Need.
45
Kevin Williams. Baby Boomers Travel: Get to know the Market.
46
NSTA. United States.
47
Babyboomerstraveling.com. What Boomers Need.
48
NovaScotia.com. Nova Scotia’s Culture. [online]Available at:
http://www.novascotia.com/explore/culture [Accessed May 2014]
49
Rocketswag.com. Baby Boomers Travel Habits.
50
Nova Scotia Tourism Agency. Nova Scotia Cultural Enthusiasts Profile.