N.S. tourism operators hopeful COVID-19 restrictions will soon ease as summer visitors begin arriving
Tourism operators in Nova Scotia are feeling encouraged, as more visitors continue to arrive.
However, those in the industry are calling on the province to move up their reopening plan to meet the tourism demand.
Terri Gaglardi was one of hundreds visiting the Halifax waterfront on Tuesday. Gaglardi travelled from Calgary to Prince Edward Island, and eventually made his way to the city.
"Right now, we're just looking for a nice waterfront patio to go to," said Gaglardi, an Alberta resident.
Low COVID-19 numbers and fresh Maritime air are playing a large role in the increase in tourists.
“It’s so great, we’re just loving it," said Gaglardi. "It’s been really great to be able to come to the east coast and have a little more freedom."
Tourism operators say they are happy with the number of visitors they are seeing right now.
“We’re actually sold out now for most tours, for a week in advance,” says Denis Campbell, a tour operator in Halifax.
But Campbell says things could be even better if Nova Scotia's COVID-19 restrictions were in line with the other Maritime provinces.
He points out that the Harbour Queen – a Mississippi-style sternwheeler used for tours in the Halifax harbour – has a capacity of about 200, however restrictions limit their passenger numbers to 50.
“It’s very frustrating when our neighbouring provinces around us have eased those restrictions and they are seemingly doing fine and we’re just a little frustrated that we can’t do that here in Nova Scotia,” he says
For some visitors, just being back home is enough. Jenny Gritke is from Nova Scotia. She’s visiting home for the first time in almost two years.
“For anyone who grew up in the Maritimes and moved away, I think they know how much it means to come back, how special this place is. It’s just a different feeling when you’re here,” said Gritke.
As thousands of others come to Nova Scotia, some in the tourism industry say the current restrictions mean those visitors are taking millions in unspent dollars with them when they go back home.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
DEVELOPING Man sets self on fire outside New York court where Trump trial underway
A man set himself on fire on Friday outside the New York courthouse where Donald Trump's historic hush-money trial was taking place as jury selection wrapped up, but officials said he did not appear to have been targeting Trump.
Sask. father found guilty of withholding daughter to prevent her from getting COVID-19 vaccine
Michael Gordon Jackson, a Saskatchewan man accused of abducting his daughter to prevent her from getting a COVID-19 vaccine, has been found guilty for contravention of a custody order.
She set out to find a husband in a year. Then she matched with a guy on a dating app on the other side of the world
Scottish comedian Samantha Hannah was working on a comedy show about finding a husband when Toby Hunter came into her life. What happened next surprised them both.
Mandisa, Grammy award-winning 'American Idol' alum, dead at 47
Soulful gospel artist Mandisa, a Grammy-winning singer who got her start as a contestant on 'American Idol' in 2006, has died, according to a statement on her verified social media. She was 47.
'It could be catastrophic': Woman says natural supplement contained hidden painkiller drug
A Manitoba woman thought she found a miracle natural supplement, but said a hidden ingredient wreaked havoc on her health.
Young people 'tortured' if stolen vehicle operations fail, Montreal police tell MPs
One day after a Montreal police officer fired gunshots at a suspect in a stolen vehicle, senior officers were telling parliamentarians that organized crime groups are recruiting people as young as 15 in the city to steal cars so that they can be shipped overseas.
The Body Shop Canada explores sale as demand outpaces inventory: court filing
The Body Shop Canada is exploring a sale as it struggles to get its hands on enough inventory to keep up with "robust" sales after announcing it would file for creditor protection and close 33 stores.
Vicious attack on a dog ends with charges for northern Ont. suspect
Police in Sault Ste. Marie charged a 22-year-old man with animal cruelty following an attack on a dog Thursday morning.
On federal budget, Macklem says 'fiscal track has not changed significantly'
Bank of Canada governor Tiff Macklem says Canada's fiscal position has 'not changed significantly' following the release of the federal government's budget.