By Tom Peters
CAPE BRETON: Direct air connections between Halifax and several major European cities are expected to stimulate tourism in Nova Scotia this summer. Airlines such as WestJet, Discover Airlines, and Air Canada are offering routes to destinations including Amsterdam, Barcelona, Paris, London (Heathrow), and Frankfurt.
Despite this encouraging development, Executive Director of the Strait Area Chamber of Commerce Tanya Felix cautions that the overall tourism outlook remains uncertain.
“I think we are hoping to see more travel within Canada and within the Atlantic region and more European travel with more direct flights coming back and forth from Europe,” she said.
Cape Breton, recently named the number one island in Canada by Travel + Leisure magazine, remains a key destination in the province’s tourism strategy.
Terry Smith, Chief Executive Officer of Destination Cape Breton, offered a more optimistic perspective on the upcoming season.
“We’re cautiously optimistic,” he said. “All indicators are looking good, and we are hearing from operators that bookings are solid, so we think it is probably going to be a very good year.”
Concerns have been raised, however, about potential declines in American visitors due to strained Canada-U.S. trade relations and the broader geopolitical climate. Yet Smith believes the greater impact may be seen in reduced travel by Canadians to the United States.
“We have had Americans calling our office or commenting on our social channels and apologizing and asking if they are still welcome to visit and of course they are,” Smith emphasized.
Despite not actively marketing to the U.S., Destination Cape Breton has seen a significant uptick in online engagement from American audiences.
“All of Cape Breton’s marketing has been within Canada. But with us doing no marketing in the U.S., traffic to our website is up over 60 per cent, so there is still a large degree of interest from Americans visiting here,” Smith said. “We’ve got a history of being hospitable and I think that is going to continue and hopefully the message is going to be to Americans that they can feel safe coming here and they are still going to get a warm welcome regardless.”
Felix echoed these sentiments, noting the advantages American visitors enjoy, such as the favorable exchange rate and longstanding personal ties to the region.
“There are people (from the U.S.) who have summer places in this area and are regular travelers to the area,” she said. “So, I expect many of those people will continue what they are doing as long as things are good at the border.”
Felix highlighted several key tourist areas within the Strait region, including Inverness and Richmond Counties, as well as parts of Guysborough and Antigonish Counties. These areas are known for their rich Celtic music traditions, Scottish heritage, world-class golf courses, and pristine beaches.
While the general outlook is positive, Felix pointed to a couple of pressing challenges that could impact the local tourism industry – namely, potential labour shortages and infrastructure concerns.
“Some operators have expressed concern over labour availability for this season,” she noted. “With the reduction in the number of temporary residents/students accepted this year, there will be a smaller pool of potential applicants and operators are worried this will result in staff shortages, especially in rural areas.”
Additionally, shifting tourist preferences are creating new demands.
“The interests of tourists have changed a bit,” Felix said. “Where adventure and experience operators are seeing an increase in demand for such things as E-bikes, guided tours, and nature spas.”
Infrastructure also remains a sore point. The long-anticipated upgrade to the Port Hastings Rotary has been delayed.
“It is my understanding that the redesign and upgrade to the Port Hastings Rotary has been put on hold and will not go ahead this year as expected,” Felix stated.
In a response to The Reporter, Gary Andrea, a spokesperson for the provincial Department of Public Works, confirmed the delay.
“Given the result of the tender this winter, we want to look at a simplified approach to the project,” Andrea said. “We believe we can improve safety, enhance traffic flow and lower costs within the same timeline. We expect to retender later this year.”
Felix expressed strong disappointment adding concerns over neglected infrastructure such as two dilapidated hotels, tall grass and potholes, no road lines and poor signage.
“The rotary is the first thing you see when you get on the island. It’s a strange configuration and dangerous. Such a bad introduction to a beautiful place,” Felix emphasized. “All traffic going to Cape Breton and Newfoundland has to go through here and it is way past due. I have been in this position for two years and it is a longstanding complaint for tourism operators and all travelers.”