Now that it’s down to two presumptive candidates for the White House, tourism operators in Cape Breton are chomping at the bit more than ever to reap the benefits of the so-called ‘Trump bump.’
Destination Cape Breton CEO Mary Tulle says she’s already noticed a difference from last year.
"I was talking to the Keltic Lodge earlier today. They're up 20 per cent in bookings this year over last year. Parks Canada … they're up 250 per cent."
With low gas prices, the strong American dollar and the Trump bump, tourism operators say U.S. vacationers are in Cape Breton in unprecedented numbers.
"We've seen a 25 per cent increase in bookings," said restaurant owner Tom Kennedy. "If we spent that money on advertising, how much would it cost? It would be incredible. We're talking not hundreds of thousands, but probably a million."
With every jab traded between Trump and Hillary Clinton, it seems there is only more interest in Cape Breton.
Tulle says the success of the Trump bump in Cape Breton no longer depends on if Trump wins.
"It's the visit that people are coming to look at first, and hopefully some of them will wish to spend a whole lot longer here," said Tulle.
Once Americans start vacationing after July 4, it is expected to be one of the busiest summers in recent memory along the Cabot Trail.
"Maybe since ever when you're talking year-to-year growth," said Tulle.
Cape Breton has been attracting the attention of Americans for months, after the creation of a satire website “Cape Breton if Donald Trump Wins,” offering Cape Breton as a refuge for those against Donald Trump.
With files from CTV Atlantic’s Ryan MacDonald.
