Tourists flock to Cape Breton
Cape Breton’s vibrant industrial past may now be a memory, but the island’s scenic beauty, various cultures and rich hospitality continue to attract visitors.
As a result, the “tourist” has been chosen as the island’s top newsmaker of 2017.
Recent Tourism Nova Scotia numbers show that over the past five years, room night sales in Cape Breton increased by more than 22 per cent, while mainland Nova Scotia experienced just a 4.5 per cent growth in the same category.
The cruise ship numbers are equally impressive. The more than 90 cruise ships that visited Sydney brought more than 130,000 passengers to Cape Breton over the six months from May through October.
And, with a second harbour berth in the planning stages, the extra capacity is expected to attract more cruise ships.
Aside from the cruising set, visitors are flocking to the island in different ways and for different reasons.
According to a recent report issued by the Destination Cape Breton Association, the top reasons visitors list for coming to Cape Breton are the coastal experience, sightseeing and tours, outdoor activities, and culture, entertainment and heritage.
And association CEO Mary Tulle optimistically said that while there are hurdles, she believes tourism has a very bright future in Cape Breton.
“What’s become so obvious to me is the positives we’re all surrounded with now, we’re a community that is just so ready to
move forward,” she said.
“I believe very strongly in the potential of Cape Breton — people come here the first time and they want to come back and they do come back and they come back over and over and over.”
If you don’t believe Tulle, then just ask the visitors.
Southern Californians Mark and Diane Kettlewell, passengers on the last cruise
ship to visit Sydney this past season, strolled the streets of the city’s north end during their visit.
“We took the exact same cruise last year at the exact same time — we just love it here, the autumn colours are gorgeous and we think this is a great part of the world,” said Mark Kettlewell.
“We’re getting close to retirement and this looks like a wonderful place to retire.”
And while those who like it here, like it a lot, Tulle said although Cape Breton has some of the country’s most iconic attractions, word of mouth isn’t always enough when it comes to enticing new visitors to come to the island even with such iconic attractions as the world-renowned Cabot Trail, the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site and the Alexander Graham Bell Museum in Baddeck.