Long weekend kicks off Maritime tourism season
The long May weekend is a traditional kickoff for seasonal tourism operators around the Maritimes, and there’s already early signs of a busy summer ahead.
The Fundy Trail Parkway officially opened on Friday and is recording a 46 per cent increase in visitor numbers within its first two days when compared to the same period last year.
Nancy Lockerbie, Fundy Trail Parkway general manager, says the first people through its gates on Friday was a couple from the U.S. state of Maryland.
"So it was wonderful to see travel resume from outside of New Brunswick," says Lockerbie.
The parkway recorded impressive visitor numbers throughout the first two years of the pandemic thanks largely to local traffic. Visitor numbers on the parkway in 2021 were up about 35 per cent over pre-pandemic figures.
In early May, New Brunswick’s Department of Tourism and Parks reported a three per cent increase in its campground occupancy rate at provincial parks compared to the same time last year, noting 2021 was a record year
Other local attractions opening this weekend include the Hopewell Rocks in Hopewell Cape, N.B., Kingsbrae Garden in St. Andrews, N.B., and Ministers Island near St. Andrews, N.B., Several seasonal tourism information centres across the Maritimes also open this long weekend.
In the past several years, a growing number of tourist attractions have scheduled seasonal openings to coincide with the school year ending.
Lockerbie says May’s long weekend provides an opportunity to gear up for the upcoming peak season.
"Friday is usually the 'test' day and we work all our cobwebs out," she says.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Nearly half of China's major cities are sinking, researchers say
Nearly half of China's major cities are suffering 'moderate to severe' levels of subsidence, putting millions at risk of flooding especially as sea levels rise.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Judge says 'no evidence fully supports' murder case against Umar Zameer as jury starts deliberations
The judge presiding over the trial of a man accused of fatally running over a Toronto police officer is telling jurors the possible verdicts they may reach based on the evidence in the case.
Sports columnist apologizes for 'oafish' comments directed at Caitlin Clark. The controversy isn't over
A male columnist has apologized for a cringeworthy moment during former University of Iowa superstar and college basketball's highest scorer Caitlin Clark's first news conference as an Indiana Fever player.
Health Canada to change sperm donor screening rules for men who have sex with men
Health Canada will change its longstanding policy restricting gay and bisexual men from donating to sperm banks in Canada, CTV News has learned. The federal health agency has adopted a revised directive removing the ban on gay, bisexual and other men who have sex with men, effective May 8.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.
'Shopaholic' author Sophie Kinsella reveals brain cancer diagnosis
Sophie Kinsella, the best-selling author behind the 'Shopaholic' book series, has revealed that she is receiving treatment for brain cancer.
LeBlanc says he plans to run in next election, under Trudeau's leadership
Cabinet minister Dominic LeBlanc says he plans to run in the next election as a candidate under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's leadership, amid questions about his rumoured interest in succeeding his longtime friend for the top job.
U.S. vetoes widely supported resolution backing full UN membership for Palestine
The United States vetoed a widely backed UN resolution Thursday that would have paved the way for full United Nations membership for Palestine, a goal the Palestinians have long sought and Israel has worked to prevent.