The Final Four Predictions for 2012

Final four includes a Dancing Goat, a Red Shoe and more plans

By Keith MacDonald

This week’s column is part three of a three-part series that takes a look into the future and predicts the top 12 business newsmakers for 2012. Last week the focus was on the Newpage Port Hawkesbury sale, Cape Breton University’s continued growth in international students, additional employment at Stream Global Services and a new crop of innovation based business startup’s being identified through the Innovacorp I-3 competition.

Now on to the final four:

9. The J.A. Douglas McCurdy Sydney Airport Authority’s new board chair, Doug Peach, and his team are working diligently to increase the number of flights landing and departing at the airport. Last year saw an increase in air traffic and the goal is to have this trend continue. Overtures have been made to Porter Airlines and discussions are ongoing with Westjet to expand their presence at the airport. This past week Westjet announced that the company is looking at the possibility of a new short-haul business. All efforts will be made to bring in new competition for the Halifax to Sydney route, which is one of the highest yield flights for Air Canada. 2012 could be the year that a new year-round flight service comes into play.

10. Cape Breton has received numerous accolades and international rankings as one of the premier tourism destinations in the world. “Travel and Leisure” magazine, “U.S.A Today Travel Magazine,” the “Lonely Planet” travel guide and “Gentlemans Quarterly” (GQ) all have Cape Breton or Cape Breton tourism businesses highly ranked. 2012 will continue to see Cape Breton receive new positive reviews from a wide variety of travel publications but the competition is getting tougher. Jurisdiction such as P.E.I. and Vancouver Island are stepping up their game in order to overtake our fair home. With an ongoing focus on marketing the island through Destination Cape Breton, the challenge should be Cape Breton’s to win.

11. The Sydney tar ponds and coke ovens cleanup is quickly coming to a close with all expenditures required to be committed in 2014. Currently the Sydney Tar Ponds Agency has contracted Stantec to build upon an earlier end-use concept envisioned by Ekistics Planning and Design. With the legacy of the tar ponds soon to be in the past the focus of the cleanup will now turn to maximizing the impact of the final end-use design. 2012 will be witness to increased discussion on how the former heavy industrial site can be used to attract people and investment to the area.

12. The Dancing Goat in Northeast Margaree Valley and the Red Shoe Pub in Mabou have become the favourite dining experience of people both near and far. Both uniquely named establishments are frequently full to capacity with eagerly anticipating lineups. As the demand for uniquely Cape Breton experiences are on the up rise the availability of seating at both homey venues will be at a premium. 2012 should see an increase in tourism visitation for two of Cape Breton’s favourite rural hotspots.

That brings the top 12 of 2012 to a conclusion. Next column will focus on the positive impact of the Canadian Amateur Boxing Championship held in Membertou.