Meet Our Senior Tour Guide – Alphonse DesLaurier (Al)
We are proud to welcome
Alphonse DesLaurier (Al) to our team as a
Senior Tour Guide & Trainer.
Al is a proud Nova Scotian Acadian whose family roots in Nova Scotia date back to the early Acadian settlements, long before British colonization. Growing up, he listened to stories passed down through generations about the Acadian people and the deportation of more than 12,000 Acadians from Nova Scotia. The DesLaurier family name remains part of the rich Acadian heritage preserved in churches and communities throughout the province.
Al began his transportation career in the 1970s as a taxi driver and later served as President of the Halifax Taxi Association for many years. His passion for hospitality and local history eventually led him into the tourism industry, where he spent over 22 years operating Halifax Cruise Ship Taxi Tours, one of the pioneering cruise excursion companies in Halifax.
Throughout his career, Al has trained and mentored numerous taxi, limousine, and tour drivers. He also worked closely with the Halifax Port Authority and fellow tourism operators to enhance the visitor experience for cruise passengers arriving from around the world. His dedication helped shape Halifax into one of Atlantic Canada’s most welcoming cruise destinations.
After selling his company shortly before the COVID-19 pandemic, Al briefly retired. However, his passion for sharing Nova Scotia’s stories and welcoming visitors back to the province soon brought him out of retirement and back into the tourism industry.
Today, Al is regarded as one of the most experienced guides in Nova Scotia. While he has led countless tours throughout the Annapolis Valley, South Shore, and beyond, his specialty remains the iconic Halifax & Peggy’s Cove Tour.
With Al, guests don’t simply visit attractions—they experience the stories behind them. His tours bring to life Halifax’s remarkable history, including:
- The founding of Halifax and early colonial conflicts
- The War of 1812
- The Halifax Explosion of 1917
- Halifax’s vital role as the North American convoy centre during both World Wars
- The tragic sinking of the Titanic and Halifax’s connection to the recovery efforts
Al also loves introducing visitors to Nova Scotia’s world-famous seafood. Whether it’s a traditional lobster roll, seafood chowder, fish and chips, or a visit to local lobster attractions, he knows the best places to experience authentic maritime cuisine.
At Peggy’s Cove, guests enjoy breathtaking coastal scenery, the historic fishing village, and the world-famous lighthouse while hearing fascinating local stories that only a lifelong Nova Scotian can share.
Known for his warm personality, humour, and storytelling ability, Al believes that the best tours are those where guests leave with a deeper understanding of Nova Scotia, great memories, and a smile on their faces.
“There is far too much history in Nova Scotia to fit into a single day, but I’ll do my best to share as much of it as possible.” – Al DesLaurier