'It's going to be alright': Tourism operators along the Cabot Trail say they’re optimistic for summer
Phase 2 of Nova Scotia's COVID-19 reopening plan means most Parks Canada sites along the Cabot Trail were able to welcome back visitors on Wednesday – opening the door for an increase in tourism this summer.
The Cape Breton Highlands National Park is home to some of the most iconic tourist experiences, providing some of the prettiest views in the Maritimes.
(Photo courtesy: novascotia.com)
One food truck driver in Chéticamp, N.S. who went into business about one year before the COVID-19 pandemic began, says the opportunity for tourists will be a game-changer.
"That's what we kind of rely on," said Serge Paul Camus who owns a food truck. "Tourists coming around, stating in town and supporting local food."
The Chéticamp Campground sits just inside the entrance to the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
According to Parks Canada, reservations for early summer are booking up quickly.
"Reservations after next week, up to Canada day and beyond into July are looking really great," said Kelly Deveaux with Parks Canada.
Yvette Lelievre is the tour guide at the Les Trois Pignons – a museum in Chéticamp showcasing Acadian culture and traditional rug hooking.
She says visitors within the park means more traffic for the museum.
"Obviously having people around where they can go to restaurants, they can go to B&B's and motels and have them around where they can enjoy the region and spend a little time, and a little money," said Lelievre.
According to Parks Canada, some things like tour group sizes and campground availability are still under reduced capacity in order to allow for physical distancing and COVID-19 public health guidelines.
"We ask that our visitors do plan ahead," said Deveaux. "Take the time to prepare for your visit. Make yourself aware of any travel restrictions."
Those along the Cabot Trail say they hope the increase in tourism will help make up for lost time and money.
"I'm going to be back to normal now," said Camus. "It's going to be alright, I'm not going to have to worry about paying bills."
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
'I just can't believe that it took so long': Body found in wreckage 3 months after deadly fire
A man accused of arson in a January Old Strathcona apartment fire is expected to be charged with manslaughter after a body was discovered in the burned building late last month.
No proof man lied to brother about number of kittens born in litter, B.C. tribunal rules
A man was denied a $5,000 payout from his brother after a B.C. tribunal dismissed his claim disputing how many kittens were born in a litter.
Quebec police hand out hundreds of tickets to Hells Angels and other bikers before 'first run' meeting
Quebec provincial police handed out hundreds of fines to Hells Angels members and other supporting motorcycle clubs who met for their 'first run' in a small town near Sherbrooke, Que.
Feds hope to table foreign interference legislation next week: LeBlanc
Democratic Institutions Minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to table legislation this week to help the federal government address foreign interference, but he wouldn't say whether the proposal will include a foreign agent registry.
Auston Matthews skates ahead of Game 7, status unclear with season on the line
Auston Matthews was back on the ice with his teammates Saturday.
Snakes almost on a plane: U.S. TSA discovers a bag with small snakes in passenger's pants
According to an X post by the Transportation Security Administration, officers at the Miami International Airport found the small bag of snakes hidden in a passenger's trousers on April 26 at a checkpoint.
A Chinese driver is praised for helping reduce casualties in a highway collapse that killed 48
A Chinese truck driver was praised in local media Saturday for parking his vehicle across a highway and preventing more cars from tumbling down a slope after a section of the road in the country's mountainous south collapsed and killed at least 48 people.
Russia puts Ukrainian President Zelenskyy on its wanted list
Russia has put Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on its wanted list, Russian state media reported Saturday, citing the interior ministry’s database.
Work stoppage possible as WestJet issues lockout notice to maintenance engineers' union
A lockout notice issued by WestJet to a union representing aircraft maintenance engineers could result in a work stoppage next week.