With less border restrictions, more tourists are arriving and booking campgrounds
Campgrounds across Nova Scotia have suddenly gotten pretty busy.
If the August long weekend was a litmus test for how the industry has been doing now that things have opened up a bit, it appears that the lull has passed.
"We were sold out," said Darrell Bernard, the co-owner of the Kluskap Ridge Campground in Englishtown, N.S.
He says being filled to capacity on the long weekend was a chance to make up for lost money.
After very little traffic the first month they were open, during the third wave back in the spring.
"We've got campers coming in from Ontario, New Brunswick, Quebec, and we've got bookings from Americans," Bernard said. "They're coming - sooner or later, I know."
Lee Fraser is the owner of Live Life in Tents, which is based in the Margaree area.
"You know, everything around here in rural Cape Breton's quite busy," Fraser says. "The traffic has picked up."
While he says they have been at, or near, capacity themselves, he wants to see the success shared with other accommodations and businesses all along the Cabot Trail.
"A lot of businesses that we deal with, that we send people to, were feeling the hit," Fraser said. "So, hopefully, they -- everybody -- gets a slice of the pie this year."
Nova Scotia's Department of Lands and Forests is responsible for provincial park campgrounds.
A spokesperson tells CTV News that for the month of June, camper nights increased by 36 per cent compared to the same month in 2019 - before the pandemic.
For July, camper nights were up three per cent compared to two years ago.
Terry Smith is the CEO of Destination Cape Breton.
"Just in the last couple of weeks, we've really seen that the traffic is picking up," Smith says.
He says after a slow start to the season in July, the recent influx of campers is having an impact on the bottom line.
"Whether that's in restaurants, or gas stations, or going to various attractions," Smith said.
Bernard recommends anyone looking to camp the rest of the summer book at least a couple of weeks in advance.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Another suspect arrested in Toronto Pearson airport gold heist: police
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Why these immigrants to Canada say they're thinking about leaving, or have already moved on
For some immigrants, their dreams of permanently settling in Canada have taken an unexpected twist.
Trump hush money trial: Play-by-play on Day 2 of Stormy Daniels testimony
Adult film star Stormy Daniels took the stand for a second time Thursday as former U.S. president Donald Trump's hush money case continues in Manhattan.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
Miss Teen USA steps down just days after Miss USA's resignation
Miss Teen USA resigned Wednesday, sending further shock waves through the pageant community just days after Miss USA said she would relinquish her crown.
Cyclist strikes child crossing the street to catch school bus in Montreal
A video circulating on social media of a young girl being hit by a bike has some calling for better safety and more caution when designing bike lanes in the city. The video shows a four-year-old girl crossing Jeanne-Mance Street in Montreal's Plateau neighbourhood to get on a school bus stopped on the opposite side of the street
B.C. wildfires likely to spread with weekend temperatures expected to soar, province says
Wildfire and emergency management officials in British Columbia are urging residents to be prepared for increased fire activity as temperatures are expected to soar above 30 C in parts of the province this weekend.
Wilfrid Laurier football player drafted despite only playing 27 games in his entire life
A Listowel, Ont. man, drafted by the Hamilton Tigercats last week, is also getting looks from the NFL, despite only playing 27 games of football in his life.