Aside from the CEO of the Year and immigration stories, the bulk of this issue is dedicated to regional tourism and travel. That’s usually a warm and fuzzy feel-good topic, but this time? Not entirely.

That’s not to say this issue is an indictment of Atlantic Canada’s visitor offerings. Quite the contrary. Inside these pages, you’ll find a fair share of heartwarming stories. You’ll learn about the creative determination of New Brunswick shell carver Marcia Poirier. You’ll be impressed by the social and economic impact of Newfoundland and Labrador’s near-legendary NONIA knitwear. And you’ll be alerted to the unique destination allure created by our place-based film, television, theatrical and literary productions. The visitor experience is closely tied to our Atlantic Canadian personality, and we are renowned for our warm welcomes with good reason.

But, like any industry, travel and tourism has its issues. Many of those issues start with transportation.

New Brunswick and Nova Scotia are easily traversable by road, enabling tourists to be accidental visitors and day-trippers who can follow the road where it leads them. Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador, however, are more ‘exotic’ destinations. Getting here requires deliberate planning. While P.E.I. is fortunate enough to have a permanent link vis-à-vis Confederation Bridge, that too has its limitations. The Bridge joins P.E.I. with N.B., but most visitors to the region fly into Halifax. Driving from N.S. to the Island normally takes 3.5 to four-hours—this summer’s Bridge maintenance means travellers can expect an additional 30-to-60-minute delay. That’s a bit too long for a day trip, so visitors need to plan ahead in terms of time management and overnight accommodations.

 

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