atlantic canada tourism board

A resource for news, support, research and rebuilding for Atlantic Canada’s tourism operators.

Welcome to Tourism Strong Atlantic - Check out your Provincial Tourism Strong site below for the latest information and supports. The Atlantic Tourism Industry, gratefully acknowledges the support of ACOA Atlantic for the development of this program.

Additional Tourism Business Resources

There are many other business development resources that may be helpful for you. Below are a number of options organized by province.

Nova Scotia

New Brunswick

Important Contact Information:

ACOA Atlantic Growth Strategy: Atlantic Growth Website

Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism: ACAT/ETRA Website

Prince Edward Island

Newfoundland and Labrador

Media contacts:.

TIANS: Darlene Grant Fiander, President [email protected]

TIANB: Luis Cardoso, Acting CEO / Marketing and Communications [email protected]

TIAPEI: Corryn Clemence, CEO [email protected]

HNL: Craig Foley, CEO [email protected]

Latest News

Nova Scotia has signed a new agreement with the Government of Canada and the other...

MEDIA RELEASE Tourism Funding Announcement Misses the Mark Halifax, N.S. (October 16, 2020) – The...

As follow up to the Atlantic Canada Tourism Research Phase 1 Report, which focused on...

Representing Canada’s hardest hit sectors (including tourism, arts, culture, events, and hospitality), a new coalition...

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• NS Signs Agreement to Support Tourism Growth
• TIANS Responds to Provincial Tourism Funding Announcement
• Atlantic Canada Tourism Study
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Atlantic Canada

The first part of North America to be discovered by Europeans, Canada’s four Atlantic provinces comprise a small group of islands and peninsulas on Canada’s eastern coast. Though low in population and economically weak, they possess a proud, centuries-old culture that combines a distinct mix of British, Scottish, Gaelic and French customs, creating a unique, tradition-oriented people. Almost everyone in Canada claims to find Atlantic Canada quaint and interesting — even if few are exactly scrambling to live there.

Note:  In most parts of Canada, it’s common to use the term “ Maritime provinces ” or “ the Maritimes ” to refer to the provinces of Atlantic Canada. Within Atlantic Canada itself, however, the term “ Maritime ” is understood to exclude the province of Newfoundland, which has a somewhat different culture and identity from the rest of the Atlantic provinces, as we shall see.

Sunset at Peggy Cove, Nova Scotia. Jay Yuan/Shutterstock

Geography of atlantic canada.

Atlantic Canada comprises a small collection of islands and peninsulas attached to the coast of eastern  Quebec  and extending into — you guessed it — the Atlantic Ocean . Together, they form a crude crescent-shaped bay known as the Gulf of St. Lawrence that connects the Atlantic Ocean to Quebec’s St. Lawrence canal , which serves as Canada’s busiest eastern trading port.

The Atlantic Canadian landscape is one of Canada’s most recognizable, with pine forests, hills and dangerous rocky cliffs that have spawned — out of safety concerns — an iconic lighthouse industry. Since the region is surrounded by water, coastal areas can be particularly cool, wet and foggy with cold, stormy winters (raincoats are another proud Maritime icon) and mild, pleasant summers. Interior, or inland regions, by contrast, tend to be considerably drier, and in winter months receive some of the largest snowfalls in Canada.

In contrast to the other provinces, the four Atlantic Canadian provinces are all quite small with sparse populations. Most can be driven across in only a couple hours.

Africadians

During the American Revolution, the British tried to play free blacks against the rebels, promising former slaves continued freedom in the event of British victory. When that didn't happen, Britain then encouraged black migration to Atlantic Canada, promising safe refuge. Though many blacks did settle in Nova Scotia, where they established African-American communities that remain present to this day, many others eventually left Canada for the British colony Sierra Leone , as part of a British effort to move former slaves back to Africa.

History of Atlantic Canada

Like much of eastern Canada, the Maritimes originally belonged to the French. Established in 1604, the royal French colony of Acadia encompassed all the modern-day Atlantic provinces, and was one of the Empire’s most strategically useful outposts as the gateway to North America. Of this fact nearby British settlers were extremely jealous, and the two powers fought back-and-forth wars over the colonies for most of the 17th century, with the Brits finally securing control of most of the area in 1714, following the War of the Spanish Succession (1701-1714). Having acquired the region, Britain proceeded to deport all French colonists — also known as Acadians — in what is still remembered as one of the most shameful episodes of Canadian history. Though some Acadians would later migrate back, a lot of the deported wound up in Louisiana , and helped form that state’s unique culture. The lovable term “ Cajun ” is descended from “Acadian,” in fact.

Cleared of the French, the Acadian colonies remained mostly vacant until the aftermath of the American Revolution (1775-1783) sent a vast migration of pro-British Loyalist refugees northward, who turned the region into a thriving community of English loggers, fishermen and shipbuilders. By this point, the British colonial bureaucrats had divided and renamed the territory into the four regions we know today: Nova Scotia , New Brunswick , Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland . By the mid- 19th century , all four colonies had won a high degree of self-government, but were also economically stagnant. The idea of forming a larger, self-governing colonial federation with Ontario and Quebec as a path to greater prosperity was proposed, and Nova Scotia and New Brunswick formed two of Canada’s first four provinces in 1867. Bankrupt PEI jointed in 1871, but Newfoundland refused, and remained an independent, self-governing British colony until 1949.

Throughout the 20th century , all of the Atlantic provinces struggled with serious economic problems and remain the poorest regions of Canada to this day. The “root cause” of Maritime poverty is obviously quite a controversial and much-debated topic, but an undeniably factor has been the decline of many of their traditional industries, such as fishing, forestry and shipbuilding.

The Tall Ships Nova Scotia festival in Halifax. Matthew Jacques/Shutterstock

Scottish Pride

Pipers marching in a Highland Games parade in Antigonish , Nova Scotia. The annual Antigonish festival, which features traditional Scottish activities like caber-tossing and highland dancing, is the longest-running Scottish sports festival in North America, dating back to 1863.

Nova Scotia

A large peninsula shaped like the lobster claws it’s famous for, Nova Scotia is the biggest and wealthiest of the four Maritime provinces. Home to Halifax Harbour , Canada’s main Atlantic port, Nova Scotia was originally known as a hub for shipbuilding and naval bases, as well as a welcoming point for many European immigrants, embodied by its famous Pier 21 — Canada’s answer to Ellis Island. In the 20th century , the provincial economy was tied to two notoriously unsustainable natural resource industries — coal and fishing — and by the 1990s both had collapsed. Today most residents work in tourism or the service sector.

Over 70 per cent of Nova Scotians live in coastal communities with half of the provincial population located in two large cities: Halifax , which is on the main peninsula, and Sydney , on Cape Breton Island to the north. Nova Scotia’s geography is generally sloping, with the eastern half of the province dominated by hills and forest-covered mountains, while the western half houses flat plains and farmland. The provincial coast features rocky beaches covered with massive grey stones, washed smooth after thousands of years of lapping waves.

Latin for “ New Scotland ,” Nova Scotia has been the historic home of a colourful Maritime culture spread by immigrants from England, Scotland and Ireland. Well into the 20th century, it was not uncommon to come across rural Nova Scotian families who spoke Gaelic as their first language, and musicians like Ashley MacIsaac (b. 1975) and Natalie MacMaster (b. 1972) have kept a distinctive Celtic tradition of aggressive fiddle-playing alive and popular.

• Nova Scotia Tourism
• Government of Nova Scotia

The Hopewell Rocks in the Bay of Fundy. Vincent St. Thomas/Shutterstock

The towering Notre-Dame-de-l'Assomption's Cathedral in Moncton, a large Catholic church built in the 1930s to service the city's French-Canadian community.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick is a square, mountainous province best-known for its southern coast, the Bay of Fundy , which is home to the highest tides in the world, iconic “flowerpot rocks,” and thriving communities of humpback whales and dolphins. Most New Brunswickers live in the cities of Saint John (not to be confused with Saint John’s , which is in Newfoundland) and  Moncton . The provincial capital of Fredericton , unusually, sits a somewhat distant third.

Unlike their compatriots in the other Maritime regions, many New Brunswick Acadians  (French-Canadians) were allowed to return to their province following Britain’s mass deportation of French settlers in the 1750s, and to this day, northern New Brunswick retains a significant population of French-speakers. In 1969 New Brunswick declared itself Canada’s first officially bilingual province, and it’s estimated more than 30 per cent  of New Brunswickers speak French as their first language — the largest percentage outside of Quebec .

With upwards of 85 per cent of the province covered by forest, logging and shipbuilding have been the traditional backbone of the New Brunswick economy, though both have steadily declined in recent decades. Today, the New Brunswick economy is known for being significantly dominated by the family-run  J.D. Irving corporation, which has come to control a vast array of industries, including lumber mills, gas stations, convenience stores, newspapers, and TV stations.

• New Brunswick Tourism
• Government of New Brunswick

It’s impossible to say anything about Prince Edward Island without also mentioning Anne of Green Gables (1908), a bestselling novel by local author Lucy Maud Montgomery (1874-1942) that continues to define the island’s identity to this day. The book told the story of spunky Lil’ Anne and her stereotypically Atlantic Canadian farm family, and later spawned many sequels and merchandise and look-alike contests and so on. So much of PEI’s tourism industry remains bound up in the Lil’ Anne mythology that it’s estimated that at least a third of all tourism revenue flows from Anne-themed attractions.

Prince Edward Island

A small crescent-shaped island located in the gulf between New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, PEI (as it’s known) occupies a mere 5,700 square kilometers of land and contains only 140,000 people making it by far Canada’s smallest province. It has long struggled to achieve national attention as a result, beyond jokes about its size.

PEI was originally little more than a floating plantation owned by absentee British landlords, who drove property values up so high no one could afford to live there. This single issue dominated the island’s early history, with the colony first refusing (1867) and then agreeing (1873) to join Canada in an effort to get Britain to solve the problem. The population continued to remain low into the 20th century  due to a general lack of industry beyond potato farming and fishing.

Due to its small size, virtually all of Prince Edward Island is developed and inhabited, with about a quarter of all residents living in the capital city of Charlottetown and the rest scattered about in small villages across the island. Sprawling green plains, red sandstone cliffs, deciduous forests, and old-fashioned clapboard houses have helped turn the province into a tourist mecca for those seeking quaint Atlantic charm — which has, in turn, helped keep the provincial economy afloat.

• Prince Edward Island Tourism
• Government of Prince Edward Island

Colourful houses in St. John's. Elena Elisseeva/Shutterstock

Canada's Last Province

Canada's Prime Minister, Louis St. Laurent (1882-1973) and Newfoundland Governor Sir Gordon MacDonald (1885-1966) sign a December 11, 1948 agreement making Newfoundland a province of Canada. To this day, the decision remains controversial among some who consider it a betrayal of Newfoundland history. There are all sorts of conspiracy theories about the politics surrounding the deal.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland traces its founding all the way back to 1583, when the British explorer Sir Humphrey Gilbert (1537-1583) claimed the rocky island as Britain’s first overseas colony. The British proceeded to go to great lengths to prevent people from actually living there, preferring to use the colony as a powerful naval base through which they could control much of the lucrative American fishing industry. Only in the 19th century did full-scale settlement begin, and as the colony’s population of British settlers steadily grew, Newfoundland gradually gained political independence from Britain much the same way Canada itself did. Consistently refusing to join Canada, Newfoundland spent the years from 1855 to 1934 as a self-governing dominion of Great Britain, with its own prime ministers, national anthem, flag, Olympic team, and the rest.

Hit particularly hard by the Great Depression (1929-1933), Newfoundland gave up its independence in 1934 and agreed to once again be directly administered by the British for 15 years, before finally voting to join Canada in 1949. In the postwar era, a depletion of fish stocks and a failure to develop other industries doomed the new province to a seemingly perpetual state of recession, with high unemployment, poverty and welfare dependency. Only in recent years, with the discovery of oil off the provincial coast, has Newfoundland finally begun to escape from its long shadow of economic dysfunction.

Despite having recently celebrated their 60th anniversary as a province of Canada, Newfoundlanders (or “ Newfies ” as they are affectionately, or sometimes insultingly, known) still retain a number of unique cultural traditions from their long history of independence. They speak with different accents, use different slang, celebrate different holidays and eat many different foods than other Canadians, and retain a population that has far fewer immigrants and minorities than the rest of the country. Despite controversial government efforts to promote city living, the province’s small population remains scattered around the island, with a very small minority of residents living in Labrador , a resource-rich chunk of northern Quebec that Newfoundland has long fought to keep under its control.

• Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
• Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
• Newfound and Labrador Heritage

Quick Facts

• The Atlantic Canada region consists of peninsulas and islands extending into the Atlantic Ocean.
• Historically, the Atlantic provinces have had a unique nautical culture associated with fishing and sailing.
• The Atlantic provinces had much more relevance to Canada in the past than they do today, given the size of provinces added since them.
• In recent years, the provinces have faced significant economic hardship and poverty.

"Bluenose" is a nickname for someone from Nova Scotia, though the origins are lost to time. It is also the name of a famously successful racing sailboat from the early 20th century whose image is engraved on the Canadian dime. Used for both work and leisure, sailboats remain a popular icon of Atlantic Canada.

The Atlantic Provinces

• Nova Scotia: Population, 949,500 (2016 est.); capital, Halifax. Province of Canada since July 1, 1867.
• New Brunswick: Population, 756,800 (2016 est); capital, Fredericton. Province of Canada since July 1, 1867.
• Prince Edward Island: Population, 148,600 (2016 est.); capital, Charlottetown. Province of Canada since July 1, 1873.
• Newfoundland and Labrador: Population, 530,100 (2016 est.); capital, St. John's. Province of Canada since April 1, 1949.

St. Pierre et Miquelon

In the aftermath of the Seven Years War (1754-1763), Britain stripped France of all of its Canadian territories but allowed it to retain a pair of tiny islands off the southwestern tip of Newfoundland. More than 250 years later, St. Pierre and Miquelon still remain part of France. Today the rocky islands are home to about 5,000 proud French citizens who have created an oasis of European culture in the Atlantic Ocean.

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12 must-do experiences in Atlantic Canada

Four unique provinces on Canada’s east coast offer remote and rugged parks, sublime beaches, and vibrant cities full of heart and character.

From the rushing fury of the world’s highest tides to serene red sands and sublime seafood, the four provinces that make up Atlantic Canada – New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island – offer travelers an array of activities. Here are 12 ways to experience the best of all four provinces.

NEW BRUNSWICK

Whale watch in the bay of fundy.

The world’s highest tides rise and fall over 50 feet in the Bay of Fundy, and all that rushing water creates a fertile summer feeding ground for up to 12 species of whales. Take a trip on a converted fishing boat, or a fast and thrilling inflatable Zodiac. You may well encounter the majesty of a breaching humpback or get close to endangered North Atlantic right whales, minkes, finbacks - even white-beaked dolphins. Stay in pretty St. Andrews by-the-sea to catch a Zodiac tour with Fundy Tide Runners or sail on the historic Jolly Breeze tall ship.

Catch the Vibe in Saint John

This revitalized city on the Bay of Fundy has become a cultural hub and summer festival destination. By day browse the historic Saint John City Market , and the indie boutiques, galleries, and coffee shops in the uptown area. Start your night in the city with dinner at Port City Royal , which serves up innovative locally sourced cuisine and fab cocktails. Sample brews at the Loyalist Brewing Company , then wrap your evening up with a dram or two at the tiny Hopscotch Whisky Bar spread over three intimate floors of a historic brick building. Be sure to check out the natural phenomenon of the Reversing Falls, where waters from the St John River and Bay of Fundy crash together, and best observed from the SKYWALK experience - a steel and glass platform suspended above the water.

Sample some of the local craft beers at one of the Saint John’s breweries.

Hike Mount Carleton

Located in the sublime 42,000-acre Acadian forest wilderness of Mount Carleton Provincial Park , Mount Carleton is the province’s highest peak and offers a 2,500 foot climb that rewards you with views of millions of trees. Part of the Appalachian Mountains, more than 30 species of mammals and 100 species of bird live here, as well as rare flora such as alpine blueberries. Designated a Dark Sky Preserve by the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada, staying the night is a stargazers dream. Pitch your tent at one of three serviced campgrounds in the park, set up camp at one of many backcountry sites, or stay in a heritage lakeside log cabin.

NEWFOUNDLAND AND LABRADOR

Explore the majestic landscape of gros morne.

For hikers, Gros Morne National Park UNESCO World Heritage Site is one incredible destination. The Tablelands are geographically unique - they allow you to walk on the earth’s mantle – usually submerged far beneath the earth’s crust. Views from the flat-topped mountains of the tablelands are your reward for the challenging hike, or you can opt for a boat tour that lets you view this hard to access area from Trout River Pond (in fact a massive lake). The entire park is captivating though, with pristine lakes, deep unspoiled woods where moose and other wildlife roam, mountains to climb, and local culture to enjoy.

Fall for St. John’s

From the colorfully painted houses of Jellybean Row to the views from Signal Hill (look out for icebergs and pods of passing humpbacks), the boisterous live-music in the pubs along George Street to the quaint fishing community of Quidi Vidi, St. John’s is a delight. As Newfoundland and Labrador’s biggest city, and one of the oldest port cities in North America, you’ll get a friendly welcome from locals only too happy to show off the incredible cultural and food scenes in St. John’s (dinner at multi-award winning restaurant Raymond’s is a superb adventure of wild game and local seafood). A short drive from the city you’ll find unspoiled ecological reserves, lighthouses, and gorgeous little towns dotting the coastline.

Of special mention is Cape Spear Lighthouse National Historic Site , which sits on the rocky headland of North America's most easterly point and is the oldest surviving lighthouse in Newfoundland and Labrador.

See Exquisitely Preserved Fossils

Newfoundland and Labrador is home to a park full of the oldest, largest, and most complex fossilized life-forms seen anywhere on earth. These 500 million-year-old fossils are embedded into the stratified planes of rock at Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve and UNESCO World Heritage Site . This protected area is accessible only via a guided tour or permit only, but is so worth the effort. ( Read more on Newfoundland and Labrador )

From spring to early summer, you'll find huge icebergs floating off the coast of Newfoundland. This one was photographed in Western Bay near St. Johns.

NOVA SCOTIA

Hike the pristine wilderness of cape breton.

Touring Cape Breton Highlands National Park showcases everything that’s best about this beautiful part of the world, including the world famous Cabot Trail, where craggy mountains meet the sea, moose roam wild and free, and the vistas are incredible. In the park, hike the two to three-hour return Skyline Trail along the dramatic coastline to take in awe-inspiring views of ocean, or explore one of the many other scenic trails in the park. Book a Parks Canada oTENTik (a mix between a furnished cabin and a permanent tent) at Ingonish Beach and enjoy spectacular sunsets from the white sand beach.

Discover Nova Scotian Wine, Indulge in Lobster

Order Nova Scotia wine with your meal, and look for the Tidal Bay appellation - light, moderately sweet, whites that are winning awards over the world. Many wineries in the Annapolis Valley have tasting rooms in gorgeous settings, some overlooking the Bay of Fundy. As for the lobster, it is everywhere and served in the most inventive ways. You’ll find lobster poutine on the menu in pubs, and for a true Nova Scotian experience, have a traditional lobster supper at Hall’s Harbour Lobster Pound , where you pick your lobster from the tank before they prepare it freshly and serve it with white bread rolls and melted butter. You can also join a lobster boil on a beach , or head out with a lobster fisherman and catch your own.

Take a Bay of Fundy Adventure

The Nova Scotia side of the Bay of Fundy offers up plenty of opportunities for adventure. Head out into the tidal bore on a Zodiac boat with Fundy Tidal Bore Adventures and hold on tight as the rushing waters of the world’s highest tides hit the Shubenacadie River causing roller coaster rapids. Hike the 6km one-way trail to Cape Split, which overlooks the spectacular rugged shoreline of the Bay of Fundy below, or Burntcoat Head Park , where you can walk on the ocean floor along the red rock cliffs and rock formations that line this coast.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Explore a captivating national park with a literary heritage.

The shores of Prince Edward Island National Park are a mix of dramatic red rock cliffs and powdery red-tinged sands edged by wind-swept dunes. The gentle waves make these beaches great for swimming and paddling, and the park is an important area for birders. The park is home to several landmarks, including National Historic Place Green Gables , the farm that inspired Lucy Maud Montgomery to write her classic 1908 book about spunky orphan Anne Shirley, and historic hotel Dalvay by the Sea, which played host to festivities for Prince William and Duchess Kate when they stopped by on their cross Canada honeymoon tour.

Seek Out the Best Seafood

Prince Edward Island has a hyper-local food scene where you’ll find great chefs working with incredible local ingredients from the abundant waters and fertile red earth. The island is legendary for its oysters, and the Oyster Lover’s Experience gets you out tonging and shucking oysters with a fisherman, then feasting on as many oysters (naked or dressed) and clams as you can eat. The seafood obsessed will love the PEI International Shellfish Festival (held each September). You’ll find exquisite seafood all over the island, but Gallant’s Shellfish and Seafood is a firm favorite with local chefs.

Hike or Bike the Island’s Trails

A vast network of trails spans Prince Edward Island, perfect for hikers or cyclists of all abilities (the Island is pretty much flat all over). The Island Trails take you through pretty villages, along dramatic cliffs, past glorious red sand beaches, through Acadian forests, and pretty little villages. You can rent bikes all over the Island, or join a guided to tour with an outfitter like the Red Rock Adventure Company in Souris (up on the north-east coast). They’ll take you from the lobster fishing village of Naufrage Harbour to Cow River Beach, with a guide pointing out birdlife and explaining the history of the area along the way.

Lola Augustine Brown is a travel writer who lives in Nova Scotia. Follow her journeys on Twitter .

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Atlantic Canada

• 1.1.1 Indigenous cultures and Vikings
• 1.1.2 Acadia
• 1.1.3 the French and German protestants
• 1.1.4 the New England Planters, the Loyalists, and the British veterans
• 1.1.5 the Black settlers
• 1.1.6 the Scottish Highlanders
• 1.1.7 The West Country English and the Wexford Irish
• 2 Provinces
• 4 Other destinations
• 5.1 Acadian French
• 5.2 Newfoundland English, French, and Irish
• 6.1 By plane
• 6.2 By train
• 7.2 By ferry
• 12 Stay safe

Atlantic Canada , also known as the Atlantic Provinces , consists of Newfoundland and Labrador , New Brunswick , Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island in eastern Canada . The term the Maritimes is also used, but it does not include Newfoundland and Labrador since it originated before 1949 when Newfoundland and Labrador joined Canada.

Generally rocky and forested with only relatively few small valleys and plains suitable for agriculture, this region was built on what could be pulled from the sea or the forest. This was true for the original indigenous inhabitants as well as the early European settlers, and right up to the twentieth century this was still a region of fisherman, lumberjacks, and miners. The communities that grew up here were small and isolated, and industrialization and urbanization only lightly touched most of the region, which meant that when the age of mass tourism arrived in the early-to- mid-20th century, there were plenty of "rustic" and "quaint" villages to see, but fewer good road or hotels. Today, however, tourism is one of the main industries here, which means that even in many very small towns quality accommodations and food are plentiful but also busy during high season (summer) and not as distinctly local as in years past, often being chain hotels and chain restaurants. And because of the climate, tourism here is based around a very short season indeed, with most visits happening in July and August.

Nevertheless, the region can be extremely rewarding to many kinds of visitors. Archeology and history buffs will find ancient indigenous sites, Viking settlements , early European outposts, huge reconstructed French fortresses and British citadels , tall ships still being built, and preserved historic fishing villages. Sport fishers and foodies will both have access to fresh daily catches of seafood pulled from cold, clean waters. Outdoor enthusiasts will find beaches and forests to explore, plenty of golfing, and some of the world's best whale watching. And for those interested in learning about authentic local cultures, this is perhaps North America's most interesting place because it is truly multicultural and varied. Although this region conjures up Celtic images for Canadians, on account of the Scottish and Irish heritage many people in this provinces, here each peninsula and valley has a distinct local heritage, drawing from indigenous (Mi'kmaq, Innu, and Inuit), European (English, French, Irish, Scottish and German), and even African-American and Jamaican sources.

Understand [ edit ]

This region is not very cohesive in terms of climate or landscapes: the warm, fruit-growing Annapolis Valley has little in common with the rocky coast of Nunatsiavut more than one thousand kilometers away . But two things make this region distinct from the rest of North America: the predominance of the sea and forests in the local culture and economy and a similar colonial history.

The term "Atlantic Canada" is still relatively new, having been adopted by Canadian bureaucrats following Newfoundland's entry into Canada in 1949. As such, there is an important distinction between the Atlantic Provinces, which include all four provinces, and the Maritimes: the Maritimes refer to the three Atlantic provinces of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI. Maritimers and Newfoundlanders and Labradorians will be quick to point this out if someone confuses the two, but are quite forgiving regarding this confusion.

The distinct cultures and ways of life here are layered one on top of the other because of the waves of settlements (not always peaceful) and that have arrived here over the centuries. Although these people were not always strictly segregated from each other, there was a certain amount of separateness, if only because transportation was poor, and the region is more of a typically Canadian "mosaic" rather than a U.S.-style "melting pot".

Ethnic and regional cultures [ edit ]

Indigenous cultures and vikings [ edit ].

The Atlantic Provinces have been inhabited for thousands of years by indigenous peoples, the First Nations (formerly, but now rarely called "Indians") and the Inuit (formerly, but now rarely called "Eskimos"). When they Vikings arrived in "Vinland" (Newfoundland) around AD 1000 they encountered people they called Skraelings, but we do not know what they called themselves. When Europeans returned to Newfoundland 500 years later they found the Beothuk people, who later went extinct through a combination of European encroachment, disease, and the occasional bloodletting between the two populations.

The Mi'kmag (or "Micmac" in older spelling) are the confederacy (alliance of regional councils) that predominated in much of the Martimes when Europeans arrived, and who later also moved onto the island of Newfoundland.Their culture still survives today and they have separate communities called "reserves" across the three Maritime provinces and a presence in the cities and in Newfoundland as well. Places to learn about the Mi'kmaq include Membertou Heritage Park near Sydney and the Metepenagiag Heritage Park near Miramichi .

The Innu (a First Nation) and the unrelated Inuit both occupy much of Labrador, where they lived in relative isolation until recently. Though they were involved in the fur trade and were visited by missionaries (notably the Moravian church) their lands were not wanted for farming by European authorities and so they kept a nomadic hunting-and-gathering lifestyle until the 19th century. Today they continue to engage in hunting and fishing from permanent settlements and have an uneasy relationship with the mining and hydroelectric development going on in the area.

Acadia [ edit ]

Acadia (in French l'Acadie ) was the name given by the French to a territory in northeastern North America, including parts of eastern Quebec, the Atlantic Provinces of Canada and modern-day New England stretching as far south as Philadelphia. Later, the territory was divided into the British colonies which were to become American states and Canadian provinces. The main base of operations in the later years of French military presence was at Louisbourg , where the government of Canada has reconstructed the fortress. The Acadians were expelled from the region by the British in 1755 during the French and Indian War. Many of these expelled Acadians found their way to Louisiana , becoming known as Cajuns, while others returned to their homeland. Acadians also re-settled on the Western Shore of Newfoundland and the town of Stephenville was still majority French-speaking in 1941 when an American military base was built there, completely changing the demographics of the place.

Today, Acadia refers to regions of Atlantic Canada with French roots, language, and culture. In the abstract, Acadia refers to the existence of a French culture on Canada’s east coast. Acadians have clung fiercely to their identity since their ancestors' return, and there are numerous historic sites and museums that will attest to this, such as the Acadian Museum of PEI near Summerside , and including two separate places named le Village historique Acadien ( "the Historic Acadian Village") one in New Brunswick and one in Nova Scotia, as well as the National Historic Site at Grand-Pré .

the French and German protestants [ edit ]

Starting in 1750, around 2000 Protestant settlers from Germany and France landed in Halifax. They settled there in and nearby small villages, the most famous of which is Lunenburg , which developed into a prosperous fishing town and is now a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

the New England Planters, the Loyalists, and the British veterans [ edit ]

After the French-speaking Acadians were expelled from most of Nova Scotia, there area was repopulated with settlers from the New England colonies to the South. At first they came just for the economic opportunity that came from the land (the Planters) but later many more came fleeing the American Revolutionary War (the Loyalists). They basis of much of the culture of southern Nova Scotia and southern New Brunswick is this "new" New England culture. Important historic related places relate to the Loyalists include Loyalist House in Saint John , Tilley House in Gagetown and the Loyalist habitations at Kings Landing near Fredericton .

The Loyalist were later joined by settlers from Britain and Ireland, often ex-sailors and soldiers. Their lifestyle is preserved at places such as Ross Farm in the centre of Nova Scotia between Chester (Nova Scotia) and Wolfville .

the Black settlers [ edit ]

A small number of the Loyalists fleeing the U.S.A. brought Black slaves with them to the Loyal colonies. Black slaves who helped the British side during the American Revolutionary War were given freedom and evacuated with other Loyalists. And some Black freemen sided with the royal cause during the rebellion. As well, around 500 Jamaican Maroons were exiled to Nova Scotia in 1796. While many of these Black settlers later left (including to Sierra Leone ) enough stayed to form the basis of distinct Black culture in parts of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. There is a Black Cultural Centre near Halifax and a Black Loyalist Heritage Site in Shelburne (Nova Scotia) .

the Scottish Highlanders [ edit ]

When poor farmers across the Scottish Highlands were ejected from their leased lands, many went to this region, and in particular Prince Edward Island and northern Nova Scotia including the island of Cape Breton . The first ship, the Hector , famously landed 200 of them on 15 September 1773 in Truro (Nova Scotia) in what would become a major wave into the area. Today Cape Breton is especially proud of its Gaelic roots and is home to the Highland Village museum and hosts the Celtic Colours festival each autumn. Gaels from Cape Breton also further spread this culture to Newfoundland, settling in the Codroy Valley in Western Newfoundland.

The West Country English and the Wexford Irish [ edit ]

Newfoundland's coastal culture is in large measure derived from England's West Country and County Wexford in Ireland, where many of the early settlers came from. Trepassey and the Irish Loop is, as the name suggests, one of the more Irish regions.

Music [ edit ]

The Atlantic region is famous for its traditional music, heavily influenced by the folk traditions of Western Europe, but with a distinctive local twist. Music is one of the main carriers of local ethnic cultures here, and it is possible to hear both French and Scots Gaelic songs sung, on Cape Breton Island for example, despite the overwhelming use of English in daily life.

Although Celtic influences are seen throughout the region, Newfoundland's music is distinct, incorporating much of the traditions of Irish and British sailors' and fishermen's sea shanties. Newfoundland's traditional music industry is at least as strong as that of Ireland, and groups like Great Big Sea have found mainstream success on "the mainland" (Canada).

Provinces [ edit ]

Cities [ edit ]

While Atlantic Canada has been mostly a rural place steeped in natural resource economies, it is home to a number of historic cities that are central to the cultural life of the region.

• 44.647778 -63.571389 1 Halifax -- the largest city in the Atlantic Provinces, a historic port city that serves as the region's economic centre on the eastern coast of Nova Scotia .
• 46.1378 -60.1829 2 Sydney -- the most populated city in Cape Breton Island , a part of Nova Scotia .
• 45.2796 -66.0628 3 Saint John -- the oldest incorporated city in Canada, as well as the second-largest city in New Brunswick .
• 46.093333 -64.775 4 Moncton -- New Brunswick's largest city and the only officially bilingual city in Canada, notable for its Franglais dialect and Acadian history (it was a centre in New Brunswick for Acadian Deportation by the British).
• 45.95 -66.666667 5 Fredericton is the capital city of New Brunswick. It is situated on the St. John River and is a very clean and beautiful city.
• 46.233611 -63.128333 6 Charlottetown -- the capital city of Prince Edward Island and the city where the Confederation of Canada was negotiated. The area also has Acadian history across the harbour in the settlement on Port La Joye .
• 47.5675 -52.707222 7 St. John's -- one of the oldest cities in North America and the historic capital of the New World on the island of Newfoundland .

Other destinations [ edit ]

Atlantic Canada is full of interesting places found outside of its urban centers. Check out:

• 45.00015 -65.49883 1 Bay of Fundy — separating New Brunswick and Nova Scotia , boasts the World's highest tides
• 49.689444 -57.738056 2 Gros Morne National Park — UNESCO World Heritage Site, north of Corner Brook , Newfoundland and Labrador
• 50.4635 -56.7686 3 L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site — Site of an ancient Viking settlement, the earliest European settlement in North America, dating from 1000 A.D., in the Northern Peninsula of Newfoundland and Labrador
• 44.492778 -63.9175 4 Peggy's Cove — a scenic and historic Nova Scotia fishing community with picturesque ocean views and the world's most photographed lighthouse. Look for the metallic plaques melded into the rocks warning all who walk on the rocks that danger is imminent from crashing waves. There is a souvenir shop near the lighthouse for the usual run-of-the-mill mementos. The township of Peggy's Cove is a delight for photographers - even amateurs will have an easy time taking poster-worthy pictures.
• 45.266667 -66.066667 5 Saint John River Valley — historic wooden covered bridges, river ferries, falls, as well as artist studios and historic sites
• 44.3992 -65.2183 6 Kejimkujik National Park — petroglyphs, canoeing, sandy beaches, and many species of birds
• 46.4167 -63.075 7 Prince Edward Island National Park — covers much of the central north coast around Cavendish and area, including "Green Gables" and other sites related to the Anne of Green Gables books and their author, Lucy Maud Montgomery

Talk [ edit ]

While the people of the Atlantic Provinces predominantly speak English and French, there are regional dialects of these languages that can throw off the average Central Canadian tourist, not to mention those from abroad.

Some rural communities in the Maritime Provinces have unique vernacular expressions unfamiliar to tourists. For example, "some fine" means "very good". Such expressions will not hamper a tourist's understanding of locals, but it may be a noticeable feature in certain areas. Not limited to Atlantic Canada, some of these expressions can be found in neighbouring US states.

Acadian French [ edit ]

Acadian French (le français acadien) is a dialect of French spoken by the Acadians in the Canadian Maritimes provinces. Like other Canadian French dialects, it diverged from the French of France about 400 years ago at the time of the French colonization of the Americas, and sounds different to visiting Francophones. Acadians and francophones from Quebec can understand each other with little difficulty.

Newfoundland English, French, and Irish [ edit ]

In Newfoundland, another dialect of English is found in combination with any number of local variations. It is often noted that a Newfoundlander can give away his or her home town simply by speaking. In some areas, an Irish lilt can be heard, while in other areas it may not be present.

A few Newfoundland English expressions you may encounter:

• Where you to? : Where are you? (also used to ask 'How are you?')
• Stay where you're to. : Don't leave.
• Stay where you're to 'til I comes where you're at. : Wait there for me.
• Flat on the back with that! : An expression of approval, male speaker
• Flat on the back for that! : An expression of approval, female speaker
• b'y (pronounced bye): boy, guy, man, friend (sometimes used in a general way to include males and females)

Though Newfoundland English is alive and well, Newfoundland Irish is extinct and Newfoundland French very nearly so. Newfoundland Irish was a dialect of the Irish language specific to the island of Newfoundland and was widely spoken until the mid-20th century. It was very similar to the accent heard in the southeast of Ireland, due to mass immigration from the counties Tipperary, Waterford, Wexford and Cork. Newfoundland is the only place outside Europe with its own distinctive name in the Irish language, Talamh an Éisc , literally "Land of Fish". Newfoundland French is distinct from other Canadian dialects including Quebec French and Acadian French and was deliberately discouraged by the government through the 20th century; today it holds on for dear life with a few hundred speakers clustered in the Port au Port Peninsula.

Get in [ edit ]

By plane [ edit ].

Largest airports in the region:

• Charlottetown
• Fredericton
• Halifax (main international airport in the region)

By train [ edit ]

Get around [ edit ], by bus [ edit ], by ferry [ edit ].

Ferry service is available from Wood Islands , Prince Edward Island to Pictou , Nova Scotia , and from Port aux Basques , Newfoundland to North Sydney , Nova Scotia.

See [ edit ]

• Historical recreations at the Halifax Citadel or Fortress Louisbourg
• World's highest tides at Fundy National Park on the Bay of Fundy
• Anne of Green Gables' house at Prince Edward Island National Park on PEI
• Alexander Graham Bell's house at Baddeck , Nova Scotia
• A coal mine under the ocean floor at Sydney , Nova Scotia
• The Viking archeological site of L'anse Aux Meadows, NL
• The iconic Hopewell Rocks outside of Moncton, NB
• A total solar eclipse on Monday 8 April 2024 crosses this area from about 4:30PM ADT. The track of totality is northeast from Mexico and Texas to Ohio, straddling the Canada–New England border, then across Maine, central New Brunswick, the north end of Prince Edward Island and finally Newfoundland.

Do [ edit ]

• Eat a "church basement lobster supper" in PEI
• Join the "Order of Good Cheer" in Annapolis Royal , NS
• Golf the historic course at St. Andrews , NB
• Watch a production of Anne of Green Gables in Charlottetown , PEI
• Go to the Ripley's Believe it or Not Odditorium in Cavendish , PEI
• Go deep-sea cod fishing just about anywhere in the region
• Go whale watching just about anywhere
• Go iceberg hunting off Newfoundland
• Drive the scenic Cabot Trail on Cape Breton Island, NS
• Go fly fishing on the Miramichi River upriver from Miramichi, NB

Eat [ edit ]

The whole region is famous for its seafood. The clam chowder is to die for and the mussels are legendary. Nova Scotia is famous for its scallops and lobsters; PEI for mussels, oysters and lobsters; Newfoundland for "fish" (always refers to cod) and seal-flipper pie (yes, made from flippers of seals). The local cuisine is marked by the origins of the population, French for the Acadians (e.g. scallops severed "coquille St. Jacques"), and British and Irish for the English-speakers (e.g. hodge-podged vegetables).

Drink [ edit ]

When out at a pub enjoying the scene, the usual Canadian mass-market beers are available, but local specialties may be found as well. In Nova Scotia try an Alexander Keith's India Pale Ale and in New Brunswick reach for Moosehead Lager. All four provinces in the region each have several excellent craft breweries: for example, PEI has 5 independent craft breweries from tip-to-tip with a total population of 150,000.

In Newfoundland the drink they try to force on tourists in called "screech". This is a high-proof rum from Jamaica that is the province's unofficial national drink. The drink goes back the days of the British Empire, when sailing ships full of salted codfish from Newfoundland would sail down to Jamaica and return home with a cargo of rum. Be careful when trying this, it is very strong!

Fruit wines are made in all four provinces (e.g., blueberry, strawberry), while Nova Scotia and New Brunswick also make grape wines.

Stay safe [ edit ]

Since most tourist destinations in the region are rural, crime is less of a threat than getting lost. The weather can turn ugly quickly, so be prepared. Moose are a huge member of the deer family (called "elk" in Europe), and are a common hazard on the roads.

Go next [ edit ]

The neighbouring province of Quebec offers an immersion in a unique French-speaking culture, while just to the south there is the charm of the New England region of the United States. Both are accessible by ferry or road.

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Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor

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The Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor is one of three corridors being supported through Destination Canada’s Tourism Corridor Strategy Program. Learn more about the program through the following links: 

• Tourism Corridor Strategy Program

Three of Canada’s Atlantic provinces—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador—are home to more than a dozen United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) sites, which contribute to pride of place and form a network of unique landscapes, rich cultural history, and diverse offerings. 

UNESCO’s prestigious global brand attracts visitors from around the world who are eager to experience Atlantic Canada’s heritage sites, characterized by critical ecosystems, pristine landscapes, and areas of cultural significance. Due to their popularity, some sites have reached or exceeded their seasonal carrying capacity while others remain under visited and overlooked. 

Through the development of the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor, opportunities will be identified to:

• Develop shoulder- and off-season offers.
• Redistribute and disperse summer travellers.
• Attract high-value guests that grow local economies while supporting community values and protecting ecological integrity.

The Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor brings together the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, Fundy Biosphere Region, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Newfoundland and Labrador, and Parks Canada to:

• Convene diverse stakeholders.
• Foster innovation.
• Identify a common vision for the future, where humans and the environment connect and thrive. 

The strategy for the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor will be based on regenerative tourism principles, focused on generating wealth and wellbeing for the region. Several objectives are guiding the strategy development:

• Explore opportunities for collaboration across jurisdictions that exist for planning, prioritizing, and investment.
• Build a consistent visitor experience supported by local and rural communities.
• Support multi-day trip planning that features UNESCO sites and enables travel throughout Atlantic Canada.
• Foster innovation in regenerative, experiential, authentic approaches to tourism that aligns with the UN’s 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and UNESCO priorities. 

The following 13 sites form the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor:

• Bras d’Or Lake Biosphere Reserve
• Cliffs of Fundy UNESCO Global Geopark
• Discovery UNESCO Global Geopark
• Fundy Biosphere Region
• Gros Morne National Park
• Joggins Fossil Cliffs World Heritage Site
• L’Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site
• Landscape of Grand Pré World Heritage Site
• Mistaken Point World Heritage Site
• Old Town Lunenburg World Heritage Site
• Red Bay Basque Whaling Station World Heritage Site
• Southwest Nova Biosphere Region
• Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark

The Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor project, which started in June 2023 and will wrap up at the end of December 2023, involves three co-created deliverables:

• Corridor Strategy: Define vision, align resources, engage stakeholders.
• Implementation Plan: Plan execution, identify timeline/priorities, inform or establish governance.
• Financial Plan: Identify investment needed, suggest opportunities, identify potential funding sources. 

The Corridor Strategy development process includes several critical stages of engagement with corridor partners, stakeholders, and community members. We invite you to review the opportunities and participate by sharing your knowledge, input, and ideas. 

Activities to ensure outreach and engagement include:

• UNESCO site briefings and assessments.
• Online survey for corridor partners, stakeholders, and community members, etc. 
• Workshops for corridor partners, UNESCO sites, and broader stakeholders to formulate, validate, and refine the strategy. 

Governance for implementing the strategy will be outlined in the Implementation Plan, while the Financial Plan will outline how the development of the corridor will be financially supported. 

In partnership with Destination Canada, the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor project is co-led by the Canadian Commission for UNESCO and the Fundy Biosphere Region & Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark. 

With the participation of the project leads, Destination Canada selected and engaged experts from tourism consultancy firm, Vardo Creative, to guide the project and co-create the key deliverables in collaboration with the corridor partners and stakeholders. Vardo’s team includes expertise in strategic corridor development, Indigenous engagement, regenerative tourism, international markets, and financial analysis.

Additional partners collaborating on the project include Parks Canada, the governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, and the UNESCO sites showcased through the Corridor.

If you have any questions about the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor, please reach out to Erica, Vanessa, or Jennifer for further details.

Erica D'Souza Senior Program Manager, Destination Development Destination Canada [email protected]

Vanessa Poulin-Gladu Manager, Public Affairs Canadian Commission for UNESCO [email protected]

Jennifer Dingman Executive Director Fundy Biosphere Region & Stonehammer UNESCO Global Geopark [email protected]

Additional Information

A corridor connects a concentration of similar businesses or institutions together, creating synergies that drive regional economies by leveraging each other’s resources and customers. Collectively, they create greater overall demand for the area and their experiences and give even more reasons for visitors to stay longer and travel through the area.   

Destination Canada can play role in corridor development by facilitating connections and leveraging federal and national partners to encourage engagement and build a more robust network of resources. The cluster and corridor-based approach is informed by theoretical approaches and best-practices from around the globe. For more information, please see the following links:

• Using Cluster-Based Economic Strategy to Minimize Tourism Leakage, UNWTO
• Clusters and the New Economics of Competition, HBS

Destination Canada is funding the development of a strategy, implementation plan, and financial plan for each corridor in the program.

Since 1972, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) has led the way in protecting heritage sites across the globe through its World Heritage Convention. Through the Convention, UNESCO and its global network, including the Canadian Commission for UNESCO, work to conserve nature and preserve cultural sites.  To learn more about the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, visit https://whc.unesco.org/en/35/ .   

Additional partners collaborating on the project include Parks Canada, the governments of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland & Labrador, and the remaining UNESCO sites showcased through the Corridor.

Indigenous organizations engaged in the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor project include: Newfoundland and Labrador Indigenous Tourism Association; Indigenous Tourism Association of New Brunswick; Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network; Mi’kmaq Nation; and Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada.

Indigenous communities, businesses, and entrepreneurs will also be involved through the engagement activities connected to each of the 13 UNESCO sites. 

The Tourism Corridor Strategy Program is scheduled to be completed by the end of 2023. Engagement opportunities related to the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor will take place from July to November 2023, with the three key deliverables finalized by the end of December 2023.

Destination Canada has contracted the services of industry experts who will co-create strategies and plans with the selected corridors and their stakeholders. Vardo Creative, a tourism consultancy based in Victoria, BC, is leading the provision of services for the Atlantic Canada UNESCO Tourism Corridor. 

The Implementation Plan will identify governance for the implementation of the strategy. Upon completion of the program, Destination Canada cannot fund infrastructure. Given the pilot nature of the program, Destination Canada will explore with the corridor leads on how to advance the work.

The current project and scope of work includes existing UNESCO sites in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. The strategy may consider possible future connections to aspiring UNESCO sites within the corridor and in other provinces and territories.

Since there are no UNESCO sites in Prince Edward Island, provincial and local representatives have not been involved as project leads or corridor partners. The strategy may consider possible future connections to Prince Edward Island.

The current project and scope of work includes UNESCO sites in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador. The strategy may consider possible future connections to sites in other provinces and territories.

Vardo Creative has an extensive engagement strategy that includes residents, business operators, government, suppliers and consumers. If you would like to contribute to the engagement process, please contact a member of the corridor team. 

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Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT)

Who we are The Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT) is a unique and successful marketing initiative that brings together the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), the four provincial tourism industry associations and the provincial departments responsible for tourism in New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Our mission ACAT’s mission is clear – to grow tourism in Atlantic Canada.

What we do ACAT utilizes a research-based approach to focus its marketing efforts in the United States, United Kingdom and Germany. The 2023-2028 Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism is a $30 million federal-provincial-industry partnership that will see the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency invest $18 million, and the four Atlantic provinces invest $12 million collectively, over the next four-and-a-half-years.

How we do it ACAT is dedicated to promoting Atlantic Canada as a leading vacation destination in key domestic and international markets. Its mission is to grow the tourism sector in Atlantic Canada which today represents over 7,500 businesses employing over 111,000 full and part-time workers. ACAT markets the four provinces of Atlantic Canada as a preferred vacation destination through national and international marketing campaigns, travel trade partnerships, media relations activities and airline partnerships to promote air access to Atlantic Canada.

Tourism Research ACAT recognizes the importance of being able to communicate research in a manner that can be easily read, understood and strategically applied by destination marketing organizations, tourism associations, governments and individual tourism operators.

As ACAT research becomes available, webinars to deliver key findings will be provided.

TIAPEI welcomes you to join a webinar series by Narrative Research on the key findings from recent ACAT US Consumer Research. The series includes four province-specific English and one French regional results webinar, each 90-minute in length.

• Learn about factors currently impacting travel for Americans living in the Mid-Atlantic and New England regions of the United States.
• Gain a better understanding of the market’s current mindset as it relates to travel intentions, destination choices, and behaviours over the short term.
• Obtain insight on reactions to current advertising materials.  
• Discover the visitor market potential from each of these two regions.

Click here to access the recording of the Prince Edward Island English webinar.

Click here to access ACAT 2023 US Consumer Research Prince Edward Island Slide Deck

Click  here to access the recording of the Newfoundland and Labrador English webinar.

Click here to access ACAT 2023 US Consumer Research Newfoundland and Labrador Slide Deck

Click  here to access the Recording of Nova Scotia English webinar.

Click  here to access ACAT US Consumer Research Presentation Nova Scotia

Click  here to access the the New Brunswick English webinar.

Click here to access ACAT US Consumer Research Presentation New Brunswick

Click  here to access the recording of the French regional webinar.

Click here to access ACAT US Consumer Research FRENCH Regional Slide Deck

For more information please contact, Colleen Bowes at  [email protected]  or 902-566-1096.

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11 ways to experience Atlantic Canada

Having recently explored Canada’s Atlantic provinces (New Brunswick, Newfoundland & Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island) on research trips, specialists Matt and Ros have returned brimming with ideas for how to best spend your time in this charming, wave-lashed region. With a history that’s still tangible, impeccably fresh seafood, and a wildlife-rich coastline, the question’s not why you’d want to experience this corner of Canada, but how.

Drive the Cabot Trail, Nova Scotia

Waves crashing against sheer cliffs, the smell of salt in the air, green hills circled by eagles, and shingle beaches for picnics and strolls… driving the 297 km (185 mile) Cabot Trail around the curve of Cape Breton Island is, for me, what this corner of Canada is all about — exploring the relationship between land and ocean.

I recommend staying for two or three nights in Ingonish at Lantern Hill and Hollow , whose main house and six cottages sit next to a private beach. From here, you can hike through Cape Breton Highlands National Park, go whale watching in search of humpbacks, or simply relax on the beaches, breathing in the fresh sea air.

Explore maritime history in Halifax & Lunenberg, Nova Scotia

This region of Canada is steeped in sea-faring history. You can learn all about it at Halifax’s Maritime Museum of the Atlantic, where exhibits cover key maritime events in the region. You’ll see relics recovered from the wreck of Titanic , which sank 700 nautical miles to the east, and discover the explosive impact of two ships that collided just offshore in 1917, one of which was carrying wartime munitions.

I then recommend taking a scenic coastal drive south along the Lighthouse Route, pausing at the iconic Peggy’s Cove lighthouse en route, to arrive in Lunenberg . Here, brightly painted buildings huddle along the streets and you can join a sunset cruise along the shoreline to see the town from a different perspective while learning about its maritime heritage (keep your eyes peeled for whales, seals, and puffins, too).

Canoe & hike in Kejimkujik National Park, Nova Scotia

To break up your journey across Nova Scotia to New Brunswick, I suggest stopping at this lesser-discovered national park in the southwest of the province. Here, old-growth forest surrounds glistening lakes where you can paddle a canoe — you might even spot a moose close by.

There are also plenty of woodland walking trails to choose from, whether you’re looking for a short, gentle stroll or a more strenuous five-hour hike. I followed the 2 km (1.2 mile) Mill Falls Trail, which traces the Mersey River to a series of waterfalls and rapids named Mills Falls.

Fish for lobster with a local in Shediac, New Brunswick

The French-Acadian town of Shediac, on New Brunswick’s east coast, is the self-proclaimed ‘lobster capital of the world’ (just gaze up at its giant steel lobster statue if you’re in any doubt). Simply tasting the shellfish might be enough for some, but I wanted to go one step further by joining local lobster fisherman Ron aboard his boat to help with the morning catch.

Everything is done sustainably to ensure lobster numbers remain healthy, and Ron’s lobster traps only catch a modest amount each day. We entered the waters of Shediac Bay and he showed me how to bait and lower the pots before hauling up the bounty. Then, he demonstrated how best to cook it and I feasted on the sweet, tender meat. It was the best kind of education.

Enjoy scenic drives & high tides in Fundy National Park, New Brunswick

On your drive into Fundy National Park, take a scenic detour along the Fundy Trail Parkway. Hugging the Atlantic coast, with your car windows down, you get views of the bay to one side, cliffs to the other, and forest to the rear. There are lookouts dotted along the way where you can pause for views or to follow short walking routes.

Once in the park, you can cycle or hike to forested waterfalls, but it’s the Bay of Fundy’s tides that are the big draw. They’re like nowhere else, rising as high as a five-floor building. You can see how incredibly the water level changes on a guided kayak tour, paddling around Hopewell Rocks, a huddle of sea stacks topped with trees. Your guide will tell you about the coastline’s geology as you look out for whales, porpoises, and bald eagles. Then, as the tide turns, more of the rock is exposed, including tunnels and narrow passageways you can twist and turn in.

Take a history & seafood tour in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island

The birthplace of Canada as we know it, Charlottetown is where provincial leaders gathered in 1864 for the Charlottetown Conference, where they negotiated Canada’s Confederation. Where better, then, than to join a local guide for a walking tour focused on the region’s history?

You’ll stroll along leafy avenues lined with Victorian clapboard houses, take in landmarks like Saint Dunstan’s Basilica and the Bishop’s Palace, and see Province House, where the Charlottetown Conference took place — all while your guide gives you an in-depth background to the city and province.

You can combine a history tour with sampling the city’s cuisine. It’s renowned for its fresh seafood, so you can bite into lobster rolls and enjoy the salty tang of oysters and mussels.

Follow in the footsteps of Anne of Green Gables , Prince Edward Island

With its emerald hills, farmland, wooded valleys, and a rust-red coastline with rose-gold beaches, Prince Edward Island has changed little over the years. It makes it easy to picture its most famous heroine, Anne of Green Gables , out exploring the countryside. You can cycle part of the Confederation Trail, which stretches 273 km (170 miles) across the island, to soak in views that seem lifted straight from Lucy Maud Montgomery’s novels.

Even better, you can visit Anne’s fictional home in Cavendish. The rooms in this restored 19th-century white-and-green-gabled farmhouse still evoke the Victorian period, adorned with everyday household items of the time.

Step back in time in Trinity, Newfoundland & Labrador

Settled in the early 18th century, Trinity was once a thriving seaport populated by wealthy merchants and those in the salt-fish trade. Today, it’s more akin to a tiny coastal village, where well-preserved saltbox homes painted in vivid shades of red, yellow, and blue echo the past and the sharp spire of one of Newfoundland & Labrador’s oldest churches is all that dominates the skyline.

As soon as I arrived, I felt as though I’d been transported to the 18th century. Many of the historic buildings have been restored and opened as museums that help paint a picture of what life was like here for early settlers. Inside, you’ll find original items used by former residents, and you can stop by the Green Family Gorge to watch blacksmiths at work.

Best of all, the Rising Tide Theatre holds regular performances throughout the summer that relate to the culture and history of the area. I recommend the New Founde Lande Trinity Pageant, where actors move around the town as they perform, acting out scenes that capture the highs and lows of life here in the early years of the new nation.

Spot wildlife around the Bonavista Peninsula, Newfoundland & Labrador

Towards the tip of the Bonavista Peninsula, the 19th-century settlement of Elliston has a sandy beach, but its main draw is the resident puffin colony that thrives on the rocks and sea stacks just offshore. You can walk along the headland to watch the puffins come and go, observing them interacting with each other outside their burrows. It’s worth bringing binoculars for closer views, though I was lucky enough to have three puffins congregate right near where I was crouched.

You can also spot wildlife on boat and Zodiac trips off this peninsula. I joined a Zodiac trip from Trinity in search of whales. While it was a foggy morning, I was able to glimpse a minke whale as well as spotting a few seals and several bald eagles, one of which swooped into the water for its prey.

Dine on the beach in Twillingate, Newfoundland & Labrador

Dubbed the ‘iceberg capital of the world’, the far-flung town of Twillingate sits on what’s known as Iceberg Alley, where bergs drift down from Greenland every year in spring and early summer, covering the ocean in jigsaw-like pieces of ice. Even if your stay doesn’t coincide with iceberg season, Twillingate is worth the journey, in my eyes.

My highlight was joining Crystal, a resident of the town, for a cookout on the beach. She gathers freshly caught fish and other seafood like lobster, snow crab, and mussels, as well as seasonal ingredients foraged from the local area, to create a five-course meal that’s the very essence of beachside dining. Cooking everything in a big pot right on the water’s edge, she provides hand-knitted blankets to keep you warm and even brings a table down with her so you can dine on her creations while gazing out over the (possibly iceberg-strewn) Atlantic.

Learn about aviation history in Gander, Newfoundland & Labrador

It’s not often that an airport becomes one of your trip highlights, but bear with me. The town of Gander — specifically, its airport — was of key importance in the early to mid-20th century. A strategic base during WWII, it was also here that early jet planes had to refuel en route from Europe to the US, earning it the nickname the ‘crossroads of the world’. You can still enjoy a drink in the same bar where many celebrities, like Sinatra, would’ve paused for a refreshment.

More recently, many planes were diverted here during 9/11, with hundreds of passengers stranded on Newfoundland for several days. In the true spirit of Newfoundland & Labrador hospitality, though, locals welcomed them with open arms, and many invited people to stay with them (there’s now a musical, Come from Away , based on these events).

To find out more about Gander’s history, visit the North Atlantic Aviation Museum, which features interactive displays and original items related to its surprising past.

Get me there

You can follow our Maritime treasures self-drive trip idea to explore Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island. You can add time in Newfoundland and Labrador, or explore the island of Newfoundland in depth on a separate trip to the region.

Air Canada fly non-stop from London to Halifax gateway to Atlantic Canada. The service operates daily and offers a premium-economy cabin for those seeking increased comfort for the short 6-hour transatlantic flight. 

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How to Plan a Trip to Atlantic Canada

By Stephanie Hood

For the first time traveler eyeing Atlantic Canada, planning a trip can be a bit of a daunting task. The naturally stunning and eclectic east coast has undeniable appeal, yet understanding where to start, how to get around, where to stay and what to do requires extensive research due to the unique boutique-style properties and small towns connecting the region. That is, unless you have someone to turn to for expert insight. Enter Canada by Design . We have nearly two decades of experience planning travelers' dream trips, and here we'll help to answer your Atlantic Canada questions.

In the next number of minutes that it takes to read this article, we're betting we can lend an experienced hand in planning your dream trip to Atlantic Canada. But let's start at the beginning before we dive into the details...

Where is Atlantic Canada?

Atlantic Canada, also referred to as the Atlantic provinces, is the region of Eastern Canada comprising the four provinces on the Atlantic coast: New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

The entire region spans over 500,000 square kilometres, yet it makes up less than seven percent of Canada's population. The result? More nature than people, more quaint towns than city streets and more miles of coastline producing fresh seafood than you can possibly eat in one trip.

On our Atlantic Canada vacations , travelers are inspired by fascinating cultural and historical attractions against the backdrop of rugged coastlines and sandy beaches. Colorful architecture contrasts with the untamed waves of the Atlantic, and the ocean air is warmed by the people who call it home. Our goal is to share with you everything this wonderful region has to offer, and to help you plan the trip of your dreams, customized to a T.

Which Atlantic Province is Right for Me?

One of the most frequent questions we're asked when planning a trip to Atlantic Canada is what the differences are between the provinces and which have the most to offer travelers. The answer, in all honesty, is all of them.

A trip to Atlantic Canada packs a big punch, and all four provinces promise postcard-perfect scenery, eclectic culture, friendly people and that signature fresh seafood.

So whether you want to dig into freshly-buttered lobster at a beachfront cafe or dance with the locals at a traditional ceilidh (kitchen party), you really can't go wrong. That being said, there are a few noteworthy differences that set each apart from the rest, so read on for the details on which may be more for you.

Why Visit New Brunswick?

Home to the world's highest tides, New Brunswick's most recognized claim to fame would have to be the Bay of Fundy and Hopewell Rocks. Out here travelers often visit twice in one day , once to walk along the ocean floor and later to kayak 50 meters above where they were earlier, now at eye level with the majestic flowerpot rocks. It's an absolute must-do experience, but not the only lure to the province.

Ocean tides and unique rock formations aside, New Brunswick's beautiful towns and monumental wildlife make it a dreamy destination for any trip to Atlantic Canada.

Watch Humpback whales and dolphins breach the surface aboard a boat tour in St. Andrews-by-the-Sea or explore the quaint town of Caraquet for undeniable Acadian charm. Taste a local brew in the capital of Fredericton, shop 'til you drop in metropolitan Moncton, and get your fill of culture in Canada's first incorporated city, Saint John.

Though known for its natural beauty like parks and beaches, New Brunswick is home to eight cities, so you're never too far from one. Each has something special to offer, be it the Historic Garrison District in Fredericton, City Market in Saint John or French-inspired goods in Moncton. Pick one or tour them all, as no two experiences are ever alike.

When to go: August, for the warmest saltwater in all of Canada. Where to go: Hopewell Rocks for high tides, and St. Andrews-by-the-Sea for quaint seaside charm. What to enjoy: The world's highest tides, city experiences, rugged outdoor adventure and breaching whales.

Why Visit Newfoundland and Labrador?

This long-independent province contains plenty of culture having only officially become a part of Canada in 1949. Unique from the rest, the locals speak with different accents, use unique slang and even have their own dictionary with various words and phrases.

Don't let their differences deter you, however, as Newfoundland and Labrador are home to some of the friendliest people in the country. Get to know them in St.John's, where live music mixes with friendly chatter along George Street. This community is full of artists, with the highest concentration of writers, musicians, actors and comedians in the country.

Home to three national parks and 18 wilderness and ecological reserves, the draw of Newfoundland and Labrador (which are two geographically-separate regions combined into one province) is its sweeping natural beauty.

Explore 29,000 kilometers of dramatic coastline, rich boreal forests and ancient rock formations, home to northern creatures like puffins, moose and caribou. One of the largest draws? Well, that would have to be the icebergs .

Iceberg viewing season in Newfoundland and Labrador lasts from spring to early summer, though the further north you find yourself the longer the season lasts. Sweeping in from the glaciers of Greenland and Canada's Arctic, their sheer size is spectacular, and that's just the 10 percent that shows.

When to go: April, May and June for the best of iceberg season. Where to go: St.Anthony for icebergs, St.John's for culture and Fogo Island for endless views. What to enjoy: Whale watching, coastal hiking, heritage sites, icebergs and lively nightlife in St.John's.

Why Visit Nova Scotia?

Though just a small part of the province, Nova Scotia is often recognized by its capital city of Halifax. Known for its world-class dining, musical performances and museums, this is where many of our tours start and end on a circle trip through the region.

Pay a visit to the boutiques, pubs and cafes of Privateers Warehouse and Historic Properties, or take in a National Historic Site or two. History buffs will also love visiting the Bluenose II in Lunenburg, which is a faithful replica of the Bluenose I (the schooner found on the tails side of a Canadian dime).

Straying outside of the city will reward you with surprises around every corner, and the natural beauty of this province will astound even the hard-to-please. Geographically, Nova Scotia shares the Bay of Fundy with New Brunswick, so those high tides we spoke of earlier can be enjoyed from here as well. Popular low tide attractions are Burntcoat Head Park and the beach at Joggins Fossil Cliffs UNESCO World Heritage Site.

What's more, picturesque seaside towns like Peggy's Cove is a top attraction in the area. Opt to visit in the early morning to beat the crowds and have the place almost to yourself.

Of course, we'd be remiss to speak of Nova Scotia without highlighting Cape Breton Island, which offers dynamic coastal scenery, ample outdoor exploration, rich Celtic culture and the iconic Cabot Trail. Considered one of the world's most scenic drives, the road clings to mountains and edges the shore on a colorful journey through quaint villages. In essence, it's the road trip of a lifetime.

When to go: August for warm weather, or October for colorful fall foliage. Where to go: Halifax for history and culture and Cape Breton Island for the Cabot Trail. What to enjoy: Historic Sites, whale watching, and award-winning food and drink trails.

Why Visit Prince Edward Island?

The smallest province of the four, Prince Edward Island occupies just 5,700 square kilometers and houses just 150,000 people. Charlottetown is the closest thing to a big city that you'll find on the crescent-shaped island, leaving the rest open to small villages, white sandy beaches, red cliffs and emerald forests.

Speaking of emerald, Anne of Green Gables accounts for about a third of all tourism to Prince Edward Island, and travelers here can visit all kinds of Anne-themed attractions. Having inspired the famous novel by Lucy Maud Montgomery, the island provides all kindred spirits of Anne to delight in the long running, Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, and discover Anne's spirit in the Cavendish area of the island.

Whether it has to do with the books or not, Prince Edward Island manages to retain a relaxed style of life reminiscent of a century ago. While easily accessed by the Confederation Bridge from both Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, it's here that you can soothe your soul with quaint towns, colorful festivals and some of the most incredible fall foliage in the region. During the month of September, keep an eye out for the International Shellfish Festival, described as "the biggest kitchen party in Atlantic Canada."

When to go: September and October for Fall Flavours Culinary Festival and fall foliage. Where to go: Scenic Heritage Roads, Confederation Trail, PEI National Park. What to enjoy: One of 3 Coastal Drives, Malpeque oysters and blue mussels.

What's the Best Way to Get Around?

Considering Atlantic Canada's geographic make-up, the best way to get around is arguably by car. The majority of our travelers opt to do a self-drive through the region, stopping at stunning national parks, historic sites and seaside villages as they go. The beauty is all in the freedom of the drive, allowing you to venture as you please and take as long as you'd like to get there.

The small population here means the roads are pleasant and uncrowded, and to make trip-planning even easier we always include a car rental on your self-drive in Atlantic Canada. Our long-standing partnership with AVIS Car means we can give you the best rate and model for your journey, ensuring you have the proper vehicle for whatever the terrain requires.

When and How Should I Book?

When you're ready to book a trip to Atlantic Canada, keep one mantra in mind: the earlier, the better. We often issue Early Booking Bonuses on our website to help you make the most of your budget, and to get you into the best tours and accommodations before they fill up with other bookings. That said, you never need to worry about contacting us later on, as we can still share our expert insight with you and look over all the options.

In fact, right now we have a Bring On Summer Bonus offering incredible added value like extra hotel nights, tours and upgrades on your next Atlantic Canada adventure. Browse through self drives, coach trips and private tours on our Atlantic Canada page , or get in touch with one of our travel designers to talk over any other ideas you have.

Prefer to simply stay in touch? Sign up for our newsletter for up-to-date deals, trip ideas and more!

planning to visit the east coast this summer. We want to leave Ontario approx Aug 6 or 7. we will be towing a 35 ft trailer and are looking for camping suggestions, tourist attractions, etc.

JIll Rivard , 06/15/2021

hoping to plan a trip to NB. PEI and NS in july. Ist time visitors, family of 4 2 ADULTS AND 2 CHILDREN. COMING FROM ALBERTA. CAN YOU LEND SUGGESTION ON BEST PLACES TO STAY, VISIT, MUST SEE ATTRACTIONS ETC.

Angela Rodriguez , 06/24/2021

Interested in 2-3 wk self drive in Atlantic provences. Can you assist with itinerary starting from Toronto

Nina , 06/28/2021

We will be entering from Maine, around Bar Harbor. What is the best route to start a driving tour of Newfoundland, Nova Scotia and PEI, lasting 2 weeks.

zina deroeck , 09/11/2021

Planning 4 week road trip in Atlantic provinces. Start in Halifax. Will drive to Quebec City afterwards. Need help with Itinerary. Thanks!

Sherree Jolly , 09/11/2021

Planning 4 week trip to Atlantic provinces leaving App June 25 must be in Stjohn Newf. On July 9 for A wedding wanting to see Nova Scotia Pei. New Brunswick will be draining SUV Need help with sites to see and where to stayAppreciate any help you can provide.

Roger Loiselle , 12/10/2021

We are thinking of planning a trip this summer 2022. We would like to fly to Halifax from Toronto. Travel around Halifax, then take the ferry over to Newfoundland. We a.re interested in staying at air B & B's. Any information you could provide would be greatly appreciated. Thank you so much

jenny saltmarsh , 01/27/2022

Thinking of planning a trip to the maritimes this summer. We live on the west coast. I do not know where to start.Any advice would be greatly appreciated.Thank you Kathie

Katherine Bratkowski , 02/12/2022

we are flying into halifax end of june, and will be renting a car. we have 10 days to travel. what is a good route

lili , 04/25/2023

We are flying into Newfoundland (NFL) and would like to visit NFL , New Brunswick and PEI.We are picking up a car in NFL.m any suggestions o how to make the trip taking i all 3 provinces and then returning to NFL?Regards,Ian

Ian Cruickshank , 05/29/2023

Wanting to travel all four Atlantic provinces for approximately 14 -21 days late September to October. Probably will start in Halifax will want to bed and breakfasts. Any suggestions for itineraries?

Dale , 07/17/2023

Hi. I'm looking for something like the "Atlantic Canada Road Trip | Gems of the Newfoundland & Nova Scotia" but half the time. Do you have a pkg like that? I want to visit all four provinces but 20 days is too long.

Susan , 01/01/2024

Hi!I’m considering a 2-3 week trip to the maritimes. It would be my husband and I and my parents. My husband has been to Newfoundland but otherwise none of us have been. We are coming from Alberta. I’d like to make sure we had a trip that covers all the good stuff for a decent price! Looking for some help!

Jennilee , 01/28/2024

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Latest News

Atlantic canada showcase 2023 in pei oct. 2-4.

ATLANTIC CANADA’S PREMIER B2B MARKETPLACE FUELS TOURISM

Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island – September 29, 2023 –  Next week, Canadian and International tour operators, along with tourism providers from Atlantic Canada, will converge in Charlottetown for Atlantic Canada Showcase (ACS) with a mission to draw more visitors to Atlantic Canada.

Atlantic Canada Showcase is where 120+ tourism providers connect with 60+ Canadian & International Tour Operators every two years, rotating amongst the four Atlantic Canadian Provinces, with this year’s event in Prince Edward Island.  The event is tailored for the travel industry, featuring business to business meetings, networking, and education for boosting visitation to Atlantic Canada.

“No matter where you’re from, Atlantic Canada is a special place to visit, and the Atlantic Canada Showcase helps bring more people to our shores,” says the Honourable Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency. “That means more business for tourism companies, more jobs for people who live here, stronger economies in communities across our region, and more memories for visitors to take home.”

“ACS provides us with a valuable platform to engage with tour operators and highlight the full spectrum of Prince Edward Island’s tourism offerings. This event is an outstanding opportunity for PEI’s tourism enterprises to unveil innovative experiences catering to motorcoach, group, fully independent travellers, and specialty travel sectors. As they delve deeper into our region, and the other three provinces, their enthusiasm for promoting Atlantic Canada to their clientele is sure to grow” says Marsha Doiron, Chair of ACS.

Corryn Clemence, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island, adds “This event holds paramount importance for the tourism industry represented by the four Atlantic Canadian Tourism Associations. Collaborating with tour operators is instrumental in bolstering tourism businesses, and fostering a prosperous industry aligns with the core mission of each Association.”

Beyond the networking events at ACS, tour operators seize the opportunity to participate in familiarization (FAM) tours across all four Atlantic Provinces. These FAM tours present an exceptional means to highlight the globally acclaimed hospitality, awe-inspiring landscapes, cultural heritage, and vibrant traditions that define our unique Canadian region.

The Atlantic Canada Showcase has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism (ACAT). ACAT is a nine-member pan-Atlantic initiative comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism Industry Associations, and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism.

For information, please contact:

Corryn Clemence, CEO, Tourism Industry Association PEI [email protected]   902-393-5652

Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency [email protected]

BACKGROUND:

About Atlantic Canada Showcase

The Atlantic Canada Showcase (ACS) is a biennial tourism marketplace that serves as a vital platform for fostering connections between international travel industry professionals and sellers from the Atlantic Canada region. Its primary goal is to enhance awareness and promote growth in the Atlantic Canada tourism sector. This event spans three dynamic days filled with pre-arranged business-to-business meetings, engaging networking events, and informative educational sessions. These activities offer both international and national buyers a unique opportunity to engage with and expand their partnerships with tourism product and service providers from all four Atlantic Provinces.

https://atlanticcanadashowcase.com/

View Official Release HERE 

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Atlantic Canada will benefit from LGBT+ market readiness training to help the tourism sector recover and attract visitors to the region

From: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency

News release

The Government of Canada continues to support the tourism sector for a strong recovery and future growth.

July 15, 2022 · Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island · Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency  (ACOA)

Canada has much to offer visitors: breathtaking landscapes and wide open spaces; diverse and inclusive experiences; and welcoming people from coast to coast to coast who provide outstanding service. Combined with a strong focus on health and safety and high COVID-19 vaccination rates, Canada is among the most alluring and smartest destination choices.

The pandemic has had an undeniable impact on Canada’s tourism sector. The Government of Canada continues to help tourism businesses recover and position the industry for strong future growth.

Today, Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown, announced an investment of $341,804 through the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) to support Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) in Atlantic Canada. The announcement was made on behalf of the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA.

This support will allow the CGLCC to deliver an LGBT+ Tourism Market Readiness Program. Inclusion training, market information sessions, destination audits, business accreditations, and other resources will be offered to prepare tourism operators across Atlantic Canada to better serve the LGBT+ travel market. The initiatve will help make the region more welcoming for all, creating an inclusive and prosperous tourism industry.

Launched in July 2021, the Tourism Relief Fund (TRF) was created to help organizations and businesses in the tourism sector adapt their operations to meet public health requirements, offer innovative products and services to visitors and prepare to welcome back travellers. The TRF is administered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs) and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada (ISED).

“As we recover from this pandemic, we are focused on being there for the tourism sector. With the support announced today, tourism businesses and organisations in the Atlantic Canada region will be able to prepare for the future. This is an important step in the recovery effort that will allow visitors to discover the world-class tourism experiences we have to offer.” -  The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

“The Canadian tourism sector continues to be one of the most affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. We are fully committed to supporting businesses and organizations through these challenging times, keeping safety as the top priority while ensuring they get support to quickly recover, innovate their products and services, and thrive. The Tourism Relief Fund will help businesses adapt, make improvements, and be ready to welcome back guests. It also feeds into a broader strategy to help the sector survive the pandemic, recover and grow. The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers.” -  The Honourable Randy Boissonnault, Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance

“Canada is already one of the most welcoming countries in the world for LGBT+ travellers and Atlantic Canada is well positioned to establish itself as a world-class destination for this important market. We are investing in inclusion and market readiness programs that will help businesses remove barriers and provide unforgettable travel experiences for all visitors to our region. When our tourism industry grows, our economy thrives.” -  Sean Casey, Member of Parliament for Charlottetown

“The global LGBT+ travel market is estimated at $22 billion USD. As businesses become increasingly aware of the potential of this growing market, they have realized the unique needs of this diverse community. In response, our team in partnership with Tourism HR Canada, worked to create the Rainbow Registered accreditation program, Canada's first national standard for safe and inclusive spaces for the LGBT+ community. This program, in addition to a number of our development and training resources for the LGBT+ community, are now able to be rapidly rolled out to businesses and organizations across Atlantic Canada. This fantastic show of support from the Federal Government will create a lasting legacy of inclusivity for LGBT+ visitors, customers and employees throughout the region.” -  Darrell Schuurman, CEO of Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce

Quick facts

Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC) is a national non-profit organization that brings together LGBT+-owned and operated businesses and advocates on their behalf to build a more diverse and inclusive business community. This member-based organization offers programs such as diversity and inclusion training, the Rainbow Registered Program, advocacy initiatives, the OUT For Business Initiative for youth entrepreneurs, and LGBT+ tourism market readiness.

Canada is home to over 100,000 LGBT+-owned businesses. These businesses generate over $22 billion in economic activity and employ over 435,000 Canadians.

The tourism sector is a key contributor to the Canadian economy. In 2019, tourism generated over $104 billion in revenue and directly employed 692,000 people, including those in underrepresented groups like women, students, racialized people, and Indigenous populations.

With a national budget of $500 million, including $485 million for regional priorities administered by Canada’s Regional Development Agencies (RDAs) and $15 million for national priorities administered by Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada , the Tourism Relief Fund is part of the billion dollars in tourism support announced in Budget 2021 . 

A minimum of $50 million of the fund’s budget has been earmarked for Indigenous tourism projects. Indigenous communities that rely heavily on tourism have been disproportionately affected by the pandemic.

$48.5 million from the Tourism Relief Fund has been allocated to ACOA to administer the fund in the Atlantic region.

Associated links

• Canada’s LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce (CGLCC)
• Tourism Relief Fund
• Tourism and Hospitality Recovery Program (THRP)
• Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program (SWSP)

Catherine Mounier-Desrochers Director of Communications Office of the Minister of Official Languages and of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency [email protected]

Mike Critchley  Senior Communications Advisor  Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency [email protected]

Darrell Schuurman Co-Founder and CEO CGLCC - Canada's LGBT+ Chamber of Commerce [email protected]

Stay connected

Follow ACOA on Facebook , Twitter , LinkedIn and Instagram .

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Atlantic Canada wows adventurous visitors with astounding natural scenery and fascinating cultural destinations. In my view, there are several reasons why Atlantic Canada is special. Apart from having a huge list of bucket list of things to do in Atlantic Canada , the feel of the Atlantic region is compellingly unforgettable

The provinces in Atlantic Canada are: 

Newfoundland and Labrador

• New Brunswick

Nova Scotia

Prince edward island.

A visit to Canada’s Atlantic provinces provides a warm home welcome with lilting accents and ready smiles. In Atlantic Canada, you’ll be welcomed like family. So come, be a part of it, and I’ll bet that just like me you’ll long to return. Here are some interesting facts and amazing places in Atlantic Canada.  

Peggy’s Cove

Wild barrier islands, hooked rug museum of north america, charlottetown, prince edward island national park, l’anse-aux-meadows national historic site, gros morne national park, woody point and norris point, bay of fundy national park, stonehammer geopark, kouchibouguac national park dark sky preserve.

With a glorious coastline, that to the east is protected by a series of barrier islands and with the rich fruit-growing area of the Annapolis Valley well-matched by cultural and historical attractions and traditions, Nova Scotia (or New Scotland) is a must-see.

Its capital, Halifax , is a welcoming city that’s increasingly renowned for its artsy scene.

Take a peek in the Art Gallery of Nova Scotia to see the Maud Lewis exhibition.

She was an artist who painted in the naive tradition, creating colourful images of oxen and horses pulling wagons through to her famous golden-eyed black cats.

One of Canada’s most famous historic forts is the Halifax Citadel, which is a National Historic Site of Canada.

You can learn about Atlantic Canada history and kids can be a Soldier for a Day. 

It may not be obvious but Nova Scotians know how to have fun and Halifax is one of the best cities in Canada to party . 

Just west of Halifax is where you’ll find astonishing Peggy’s Cove.

What I thought would simply be a “tourist trap” proved to be a place of great natural beauty boasting not only perhaps the most-photographed lighthouse in Canada, but also a traditional fishing village.

Here buy yourself an example of an authentic Atlantic Canada craft, a whirlygig.

These fanciful wooden carvings of creatures or of fishermen paddling boats, spin and whirl on the wind and make lovely garden ornaments.

Established in 1753, Lunenburg was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site because it is the best surviving example of a planned British colonial village in North America.

Soon after its settlement, it became a shipbuilding centre for the Maritimes.

Nowadays, 70 per cent of the original 17th and 18th-century buildings are still extant, meaning the streets of the old village exhibit a genuine historical ambience.

Today, old-town Lunenburg is one of the most colourful villages I’ve had the pleasure to wander.

Scarlet-hued, white-trimmed wooden buildings line the harbour, making a fitting historical backdrop to tall ships such as a replica of Canada’s famed schooner, the Bluenose.

Built as a fishing and racing schooner in 1921, the original ship was never beaten when it raced on the international circuit.

Today Bluenose II joins other ships jostling merrily at their moorings in the harbour.

The Fisheries Museum of the Atlantic furthers this heritage feeling.

Here we learn about the history of fishing and seafaring on the Atlantic, particularly while touring several vessels moored on the wharf, or by watching films in the museum’s theatre. 

Nova Scotia’s Eastern Shore is home to a rainforest and an archipelago of 100 wild barrier islands which are now a part of a substantive, pristine Nature Trust legacy project.

Barrier islands are offshore islands that shelter a mainland’s otherwise exposed shore.

I first heard about these islands during a trip with Coastal Adventures, while kayaking one gloriously sunny afternoon.

Owner-operator Dr Scott Cunningham led our group of 8 kayakers through this largely untouched habitat, showing us fascinating Mi’kmaq (First Nation) middens.

Essentially, these are “garbage dumps” left by early peoples, which represent a fascinating treasure trove to today’s archaeologists.

As we paddled the protected inner channel we saw osprey, bald eagles, seals and other wildlife.

Although I’ve not yet returned to experience any of them, Cunningham leads one-to-many-day kayak-camping expeditions.

World-class?

Yes, because this pristine environment is a lesser-known, fascinating maritime environment that’s an exciting destination for paddling enthusiasts. 

A surprising addition to my list?

Not really, if you’re a culture vulture like me.

The so-called “comfortable arts” of sewing, making hooked rugs and other such traditional artisanal crafts are not as recognized as other art forms.

Enter the indomitable Suzanne Conrod, a hooked rug aficionado and passionate collector who decided to start collecting these rare handmade rugs.

She and her late husband worked hard to found and open this museum and in 2013 their dream came true.

Entering this space is to step inside a world of extraordinary if utilitarian beauty.

Hooked rugs were indeed a much-required and often, little-admired household item. Instead of being prized, they were considered necessary items to keep settler’s earthen floors cleaner – and warmer throughout Canada’s long, harsh winter months.

The reason, Conrod says, that heritage rugs are so uncommon is that they wore out.

Or, she noted, “Thrown out when new-fangled linoleum arrived on the scene.”

Visit and be amazed by Conrod’s stunning collection of old and contemporary works.

For more about Canada read:

• 22 Incredible Landmarks in Canada
• 50 Things To Do In Canada
• Canada in Winter
• Canada in Spring
• Canada in Summer
• Canada in Fall
• 21 Traditional Canadian Foods
• Best Party City in Canada
• 10 Best Cities in Canada For Kids
• 30 Facts About Canada
• Exploring Sunshine Coast BC
• Air Canada Australia – Brisbane to Vancouver
• Train Across Canada
• The Rocky Mountaineer
• Canadian Road Trip
• Exploring The Icefields Parkway
• Driving The Alaska Highway
• The Icefields Parkway
• 13 Gardens in Canada
• Wildlife in Canada
• Best Ski Resorts In Canada
• 20 Canadian National Parks
• Castles In Canada

Prince Edward Island in Canada or “PEI” is called “The Gentle Island” for good reason.

Its sandy beaches, pastoral landscapes featuring red earth embraced by emerald-green fields and woods lend it a peaceful, laid-back ambience that’s a dramatic contrast to other parts of the rugged Atlantic coast like Newfoundland. 

No wonder this landscape provided inspiration for author Lucy Maud Montgomery’s classic, international bestselling children’s book, Anne of Green Gables .

The red-headed imp of a girl was my and countless others’ heroine while growing up, and so it’s no surprise that my world-class destinations here include the Confederation Centre of the Arts, as well as Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada, which both have Anne connections.

Historically speaking, the smallest province in Canada was the birthplace of Canada.

The Charlottetown Conference was held in the capital city, Charlottetown, on September 1 to 8, 1864.

Elected officials met to discuss the possibility of a Maritime Union but they didn’t stop there.

When Upper and Lower Canada (now Ontario and Quebec) members asked to join in, together they dreamed a grand notion: a confederation of the provinces which would become Canada.

Three years later, the vision of Confederation was realized, and Canada was born.

Let’s take a glimpse into this gentle isle.

Imagine a colourful array of buskers, actors and musicians thronging an outdoor amphitheatre in the heart of historic Charlottetown.

Now imagine a cultural centre whose raison d’être is to celebrate Canada’s birthplace and you have the Confederation Centre of the Arts.

Here find a theatre, art gallery, and an ongoing art education program through hands-on classes for children and adults.

The building itself has been recognized for being a superior example of brutalist architecture, which contrasts intriguingly to Charlottetown’s heritage buildings.

In 2015, Architecture Canada and Heritage Canada National Trust awarded the Centre the Prix du XXe Siècle Award.

This prize recognized the fact that the Centre takes in a full block in the heart of the city, meaning that it’s both accessible and representative of being a symbol of the significance of PEI’s artistic community.

And what a symbol it is.

For instance, Anne of Green Gables – The Musical™ has been running for 51 consecutive seasons, winning it Guinness World Record designation.

In fact, more than 70 original musicals have been developed at this Centre since its opening in 1964.

Celebrate the arts.

Take in a musical or play at one of the Centre’s three theatres, and view the latest exhibits in the art gallery. 

Because it’s one of the most-visited Canadian national parks, this stunning environment of dunes, beachfront, lagoons and woodlands require constant ecological monitoring to ensure its delicate biodiversity remains protected from enthusiastic visitors.

Along the shore, sage-coloured marram grasses growing on dunes bend and nod, waving in the face of gusty offshore breezes.

“White horse” waves roll in, making their unforgettable background soundscape as holidaymakers stroll seemingly endless beaches.

Children build sandcastles adorned with seashells and happily bury their parents up to their necks in the sand – that enchanting, hilarity-filled pastime of youth.

Meanwhile, the park is noted also for its endangered species.

Birdwatchers flock here to see an increasingly rare shorebird, the piping plover.

They construct their nests on the beaches and in spring you may discover Parks Canada naturalists have cordoned off the nesting areas.

Bring binoculars and you’ll possibly be delighted by the glimpse of a tiny fluff ball on skinny legs (a plover chick) dashing about on the sand.

Use field glasses, too, while walking on boardwalks through wetlands to get a closer look at stately great blue herons as they stand patiently waiting, hunting fish.

Balancing the natural elements of this park is the creative wonder of Green Gables, the Cavendish area’s farmhouse home of Lucy Maud Montgomery’s heroine, Anne of Green Gables.

Although not the author’s real home, the house was owned by her father’s cousin.

Montgomery visited it often and wrote, “Cavendish is to a large extent Avonlea. Green Gables was drawn from David Macneill’s house, though not so much the house itself as the situation and scenery, and the truth of my description of it is attested by the fact that everyone has recognized it.”

Parks Canada protects it as an important cultural symbol of PEI. 

At first glance, the rugged coastline of Newfoundland rising from the ocean and the ancient Precambrian rock of Labrador’s Canadian Shield form an austere-looking, forbidding landscape.

Locals will tell you life’s not easy here – but they live it with fierce pride and love matched by boundless irony and humour.

The sea provided a living for many, and now, with climate change, fishing quotas and more, residents are adapting, with many “working away” – meaning, elsewhere in Canada or abroad.

However, this place gets in the blood and even for Canadians who’ve never set foot on it, the province holds a very special place in our definition of what it is to be Canadian.

To me, it’s because Newfoundland and Labrador symbolise perseverance in the face of daunting odds.

The sea pounds the coastline; rocks and bogs define the landscape.

Nonetheless, waves of immigrants came here from the earliest, ancient cultures of some 9,000 years ago, to the Vikings in 1000AD, Italian John Cabot in 1497, and then in the 15th and 16th centuries, fishermen from Portugal, France, England and Spain.

Despite the presence of whaling stations and migratory fisher peoples, the actual official settlement didn’t commence until the French founded Placentia in 1662.

And last but by no means least, Newfoundland and Labrador is Canada’s youngest province, having joined in 1949 – late when you consider Confederation of the first four provinces was in 1867.

So what’s here that’s world-class?

Here’s a teaser bucket list of three amazing sights.

Declared a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1978 because it’s the first known place in the Americas to be settled by Europeans, L’Anse-aux-Meadows is also a Canadian National Historic Site operated by Parks Canada.

Five centuries predating Christopher Columbus, Leif Eriksson and his crew of seafaring Vikings arrived here in the year 1000.

Although they didn’t found a permanent settlement here on Newfoundland’s finger-like Northern Peninsula, they erected dwellings, a forge, and some workshops from found materials such as peat and wood.

These structures have been recreated, so visitors can get a sense of what life may have been like here in the New World.

A visitors’ centre helps us understand how the Vikings lived here, plus guided tours include a visit to the forge and storytelling.

In fact, Leif Eriksson’s voyage and settlement here is recounted in the Viking Sagas, collections of stories written in the 13th century. 

Getting to L’Anse-aux-Meadows keeps us in the Viking theme because Newfoundland created a touring route called the Viking Trail.

It takes from two to 10 days to explore its length and naturally, the longer you take, the more you’ll appreciate.

From the first European settlement to the colliding tectonic plates, here at Gros Morne, the park delivers astoundingly windswept hiking and wildlife watching amid a primeval-looking landscape where Earth’s mantle of rock is exposed.

Operated by Parks Canada, Gros Morne is a gem because earth sciences are explained by on-site naturalists as well as interpretive panels at an excellent visitors’ centre. 

Do the 16-kilometre circuit hike of Gros Morne Mountain to gain panoramic views of ocean coastline, rocks and skyscape.

It’s breathtaking.

It rains often so be prepared and don’t be discouraged.

Of course, we all want at least some blue-sky days when exploring, but here in this primordial landscape, swirling mists spin their own magic.

After exploring 500 million years of geological history along Gros Morne’s ancient Tablelands, take a two-hour boat ride through Western Brook Pond.

The fjord’s billion-year-old, sheer cliffs rise from the lake which is fed by spectacular waterfalls from the plateau above.

This is a photographer’s dream.

To get to the boat dock, first, we hike along a boardwalk wending its way through a peat bog.

Here watch for deer, moose, and other wildlife such as ospreys (fish hawks).

What I’ve not yet done is take a hike ascending to the rim of Western Brook Pond, where it’s also then possible to camp overnight.

For more information on this activity plus the boat excursion of the landlocked fjord, visit BonTours.

Also in Gros Morne are the seaside towns of Woody Point and Norris Point, overlooking Bonne Bay.

I’ve included them here because to me, these villages are “quintessential” Newfoundland and worth a visit.

Come in August to take in Woody Point’s famous festival, Writers at Woody Point.

Shelagh Rogers hosts the festival and she’s a Canadian treasure of her own.

Rogers is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation’s (CBC’s) host of a popular radio program called “Between the Covers” where she interviews authors about their books and lives.

During this annual writers’ festival, authors read, musicians play, and Rogers reveals the artists’ souls during her series of public interviews.

It’s an especially intimate feeling you get here because visitors mix and mingle with authors.

Such personal interactions between readers and writers are rare – yet it seems ever so natural here in Atlantic Canada.

Of course, Woody Point is more than an August festival. It’s a picturesque seaside village where you can hire kayaks to get an up-close-and-personal view of the coastline.

As a visual artist who appreciates folk arts such as rug hooking, I enjoyed visiting Molly Made Fibre Art Studio.

I long to return to take one of the five-day workshops offered here, where the proprietors’ goal is to keep this traditional craft alive and well.

Neighbouring Norris Point is home to the Bonne Bay Marine Station, a perfect destination to learn about Atlantic Ocean life and lore.

Here find live specimens of endangered species such as wolffish, and a rare (and beautiful) blue lobster.

Discover how fjords were formed – and which flora and fauna denizens call them home.

Naturally, Newfoundland is far more than just these three destinations on the western shore. 

There’s a host of amazing treasures to discover. 

• Yamnuska Wolfdog Sanctuary
• Polar Bears of Churchill
• Whale watching Victoria
• Polar Bears in Winnipeg Zoo
• Canadian Wildlife Experiences  
• Big Five Safari in Manitoba
• Cool Cat Cafes in Canada

New Brunswick 

With a history of European settlement dating from the early 1600s, New Brunswick’s human heritage is a sister story to its Atlantic Canadian cousins (Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador).

French, English, Scots, Irish settled here.

After the American Revolution, a steady stream of Loyalists (people in America who were loyal to the British Crown) arrived.

These included German, Dutch and Black settlers.

Some Black immigrants were free; some were slaves who arrived here with their Loyalist families. 

Not only is the human history fascinating here in New Brunswick, s o is this province’s natural history. 

With tides of 12 metres or more, the Bay of Fundy has the highest tides in the world and one reason why Parks Canada operates this park as one of Canada’s natural wonders.

The Atlantic Ocean floods into the narrow, long and “paper-clip-shaped” Bay of Fundy every 23 hours and 25 minutes.

It’s the combination of the length and shape of the bay plus the “bathtub-like” rocking motion of the incoming and outgoing waters which creates conditions for the tide’s phenomenal height. 

What’s totally thrilling is to be able to hike on the floor of the ocean during low tides at Hopewell Rocks, then kayak in the same spot, during high tide.

These red sandstone rocks have been eroded by the sea and winds into flowerpot shapes, making fun if not sometimes challenging subjects for photographers.

Remember, always, to be aware of the tides: being caught in rushing water here is no joke. 

Parks Canada offers many stellar interpretive programs here, so check their website for family-friendly activities where you can learn about edible plants, go on a photo safari, do yoga oceanside or even attend a traditional-style kitchen party.

Don’t know what that is?

A kitchen party is an authentic Atlantic Canada tradition , where families and friends bring instruments and their voices, and sing and play the afternoon away…often into the early evening.

A Geopark is a UNESCO world heritage park of special global significance due to its geological history.

Stonehammer is North America’s first Global Geopark, being a collection of sites where we can explore a billion years of Earth’s history.

From the collision of continents, earthquakes, climate changes such as ice ages and more, New Brunswick just happens to be a place on our planet where the exposed geology can tell Earth’s geological history very well indeed.

How to discover and understand Earth’s evolution?

Start at St. John’s New Brunswick Museum where interactive models in the permanent exhibit, “Our Changing Earth” demonstrate how continents collided and have shaped our current world landscape over 4.5 billion years.

After learning about Stonehammer’s significance, it’s time to jump in and experience some Geopark activities.

Among these, consider kayaking with Go Fundy Events guides who paddle rivers whose watery routes were carved by glaciers 15,000 years ago.

Bike, hike or drive the Fundy Trail Parkway to win aerial views of the Bay of Fundy’s extraordinary tides.

The Royal Astronomical Society of Canada is on a mission!

The organization is part of an international movement of astronomers who have recognized that light pollution is obliterating views of the canopy of stars, planets and galaxies.

Accordingly, Dark Sky Preserves (DSPs) are being designated across Canada and the world, in order to identify and conserve areas where the dark sky can still be seen.

Enter Kouchibouguac, which was designated as a DSP in 2009.

Because it is an area where no sky glow (artificial light) exists, this Canadian national park has been designated as one of Canada’s 17 RASC recognized Dark-Sky Preserves.

Parks Canada offers programs on astronomy and dark-sky themes and is actively working to reduce park lighting. 

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Banff in Winter

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Canada signs $30-million tourism funding agreement with Atlantic provinces

ST. JOHN'S, N.L. — The federal government has signed a tourism funding agreement with the Atlantic provinces worth $30 million.

A federal news release says the Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism is aimed at expanding year-round tourism to the region from domestic and international visitors.

The agreement includes an $18-million investment from Ottawa through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency over the next four and a half years, alongside a $12-million collective investment from the four Atlantic provinces over the same period.

Federal Tourism Minister Soraya Martinez Ferrada is in St. John's today alongside Gudie Hutchings, federal minister of rural development, and Steve Crocker, Newfoundland and Labrador's tourism minister, to make the announcement.

In the news release, Hutchings described the agreement as a "trailblazing partnership," adding that tourism has long been an important part of the region's economic success.

The release says tourism contributed to 3.5 per cent of the region's gross domestic product in 2022, and employed more than 111,000 full- and part-time workers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 21, 2024.

The Canadian Press

Tourism Statistics in Canada

• Updated: March 13, 2024
• Canadian Statistics

Many industries were hit hard by the global COVID pandemic, but the hardest hit industry was the tourism industry. The ban on travel directly affected airlines, cruise lines, accommodation services, tourist attractions, and food services.

It also had an indirect impact on other industries such as retail when visiting shoppers didn’t bring in extra revenue. Some areas, such as the South Shore area in Nova Scotia, were hit harder than others because many local businesses rely on the revenue brought in by tourists.

In this article, we have collected data on how the pandemic affected the tourist industry. We have also included statistics from the first quarter of 2022 to see what has been happening with the number of tourists in Canada since travel bans were lifted.

Tourism Statistics for Canadians

Canada recorded 32 million tourists in 2019 with Toronto and Vancouver the two most popular destinations among international tourists.

• The number of jobs in tourism-dependent industries fell from 2.1 million in 2019 to 1.6 million by the end of 2020.
• Post-pandemic, the tourist industry has struggled to find staff and at the end of the first quarter of 2022, there were 170,000 unfilled jobs in tourism.
• The revenues from the aviation industry fell by 89.9% from April to December 2020.

The tourism spending in the first quarter of 2022 was 34.2% below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

• The GDP from tourism increased by 11.9% in the final quarter of 2021.
• Spending by Canadians was 85.8% of the total tourism spending in the first quarter of 2022.

There were 315,400 overseas tourists in Canada in May 2022.

• There were almost ten times more trips to Canada made by US residents in May 2022 compared to the year before and almost twelve times the number of overseas visitors.
• There were seven times as many trips to the United States by Canadian residents in May 2022 compared to the previous May.
• 593,200 Canadians flew to the United States in May 2022, which represents 73.6% of the trips by air recorded in May 2019. Overseas flights returned to 67.2% of the pre-pandemic levels in May 2019.
• 44% of Canadians feel confident welcoming tourists from overseas to their area, while 70% are happy to welcome tourists from other parts of Canada.

84% of Canadians believe tourism is important to the Canadian economy.

Before the Pandemic

In 2019, before COVID forced countries around the world to close their borders, Canada recorded a total of 32 million tourists, the ninth-highest number in the world. However, when looking at the number of tourists in relation to the population, Canada is 49th in the world with 0.85 tourists per resident. It ranked number one in North America.

Toronto and Vancouver were the most popular destinations in Canada among international travellers. In 2019, Toronto ranked 53rd and Vancouver 68th among the world’s most popular cities with 4.74 million and 3.4 million tourists respectively.

In 2019, there were 2.1 million jobs in the tourism-dependent industries and there were 232,000 tourism establishments.

During the Pandemic

Initially, in the first quarter of 2020, only 187,000 jobs were lost in the industry, but as the pandemic forced the borders to stay closed for much longer than initially thought, the second quarter of 2020 saw 581,000 jobs lost. By the end of 2020, there were 1.6 million jobs in the tourism-dependent industries.

The number of active tourism businesses fell by 9.9% in December 2020 compared to January 2020. This was over three times the overall contraction of the Canadian economy, which was 3.1% during the same period.

The aviation industry was one of the hardest hit, with the revenues from April to December 2020 declined by 89.9%. In the same period, accommodation revenues from hotel stays fell by 71.2%. Montreal, Toronto, and Vancouver recorded the lowest occupancies in Canada and saw the biggest revenue drop at 90.8% representing a loss of $2.3 billion across the three cities.

Post Pandemic

In the first quarter of 2022, tourism’s share of the gross domestic product in Canada was 1.3% of the total. The gross domestic product from tourism was up by 0.9% and it was the fourth consecutive quarterly increase. Tourism spending increased by 50.7% in the last four quarters, but in the first quarter of 2022, it was still 34.2% below the pre-pandemic levels of 2019.

The growth in the first quarter was largely due to an increase in tourism spending by Canadians during domestic trips. This was up 2.9% compared to the final quarter of 2021. In the first quarter of 2022, tourism spending by international tourists was down by 6.9% compared to the final quarter of 2021. However, there had been a large increase in the number of overnight visitors from the United States and overseas in the final quarter of 2021 especially during the Christmas holidays.

The tourism sector has been steadily adding back over half a million jobs and the number of jobs in the tourist industry went up by a further 0.8% in the first quarter of 2022. However, the industry has struggled to fill these jobs and there were still 170,000 jobs unfilled by the end of the quarter.

Closer look at the tourism spending increases

GDP: The GDP from tourism increased by 11.9% in the final quarter of 2021. It was followed by a more modest increase of 0.9% in the first quarter of 2022. The biggest contribution to the tourism GDP came from the transportation services at 2.9%.

Employment: The number of jobs attributed to tourism has been steadily rising since travel restrictions were relaxed. The number of jobs rose by 4.8% in the fourth quarter of 2021 and by a further 0.8% in the first quarter of 2022. Travel services were the largest contributor with a 10.2% increase followed by transportation services (2.6%).

Domestic Tourism Spending: The amount Canadians spend on travel increased by 2.9% in the first quarter of 2022. The main contributors towards the increase were passenger air transport, and pre-trip expenses such as camping equipment, recreational vehicles and crafts and activities equipment. Spending by Canadians was 85.8% of the total tourism spending in the first quarter of 2022.

International Tourism Spending: Spending by international tourists was up by 116.4% in the last quarter of 2021. However, it well by 6.9% in the first quarter of 2022. The biggest contributor to the decline in the first quarter of 2022 was passenger air transport at 11.4% followed by accommodation services at 4.8%.

Tourism Statistics for May 2022

In May 2022, the number of international tourists in Canada continued to rise but was still not at the pre-pandemic levels of 2019. There were almost twelve times as many trips to Canada from overseas countries in May 2022 compared to May 2021. It was still less than half of the trips in May 2019. There were 315,400 overseas tourists in Canada in May 2022.

There were almost ten times more trips to Canada made by residents of the United States in May 2022 compared to the year before. The number of trips represented more than half (52.1%) of the trips taken in May 2019.

The number of visits from US residents in May 2022 was over 1.1 million compared to May 2021 when there were 113,500 trips made by US residents. In May 2019, there were 2.1 million trips to Canada from the United States.

Out of the American arrivals recorded in May 2022, 692,000 were by automobile and 43.7% of the trips were day trips. In May 2021, there were 105,000 trips by automobiles and 1.4 million in May 2019.

Visitor numbers from major markets in Europe and Asia continued to grow. In May 2021, there were 7,100 European visitors to Canada compared to 164,000 in May 2022. Trips to Canada from Asia went up from 8,500 to 72,700 during the same period.

The table below shows the numbers of overnight trips before the pandemic in May 2019 and post-pandemic in May 2021 and May 2022 and the year-on-year differences. We can see from the table that the numbers travelling from France and Mexico have recovered the best while travel from China, Japan and South Korea has been the slowest to recover.

Travelling abroad by Canadians

At the same time as travel to Canada increased again, Canadians started to travel more to the United States and overseas. In May 2022, there were 2.2 million trips to the United States by Canadian residents. In May 2021 there were 311,800 trips to the United States by Canadian residents, so the number of trips a year later was around seven times higher.

The majority of the trips, 1.6 million were by automobile and 58.5% of all trips were one-day trips. The number of Canadians travelling to the United States by air in May 2022 edged closer to the pre-pandemic levels. The 593,200 flights to the United States in May 2022 represented 73.6% of the trips recorded in May 2019. In contrast, only 28,200 Canadians were flying to the United States in May 2021.

The number of Canadians who resumed overseas travel has risen sharply from May 2021 until May 2022. In the previous May, there were only 51,400 overseas trips made by Canadians compared to 652,400 this May. The flights taken in May 2022 represent 67.2% of the flights taken in May 2019 and it was the highest monthly recovery so far.

Canadian views on travel and tourism

Since the return to a more normal life, Canadians are readier to welcome both Canadian and international visitors. 70% of Canadians welcome visitors from other parts of Canada, 48% are happy to welcome visitors from the United States and 44% felt happy to receive tourists from overseas.

In a survey on the importance of tourism to the Canadian economy, 84% of Canadians believe it is important. 82% said they believe Canadians travelling domestically is important for the economy, while 79% of the people responding to the survey said overseas tourists are important to the economy.

The travel industry is expected to reach its pre-pandemic levels by 2024 or by 2025 at the latest. While more people’s confidence in the safety of travel is returning to pre-pandemic levels, the growth can be slowed down by geopolitical events such as the war in Ukraine.

Conclusions

The global pandemic hit the tourist industry the hardest, and it has been slower to recover from the pandemic than other industries. However, as the confidence to travel continues to grow, the numbers have been increasing and are slowly getting closer to pre-pandemic levels.

Foreign tourism from France and Mexico has been quickest to recover, though still lacking behind pre-pandemic levels. The number of arrivals from Asian countries such as China, Japan and South Korea has been slow to pick up again.

Most Canadians see the tourist industry as important for the Canadian economy and the number of Canadians who feel happy to welcome tourists into their towns and cities is steadily increasing.

Frequently Asked Questions

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Indigenous tourism fast-growing in Atlantic Canada: research report

The Atlantic Policy Congress of First Nations Chiefs Secretariat (APC) launched the Atlantic Indigenous Tourism Research Report at the Millbrook Cultural Heritage Centre on Wednesday.

The report showcases research and recommendations Indigenous communities can use to improve tourism, while also highlighting existing barriers that need improving.

Millbrook First Nation Chief Bob Gloade said the report shows the steps needed to take towards what he refers to as “reconcile-action.”

“In the region, while tourism is an important part of sharing our history, our culture, it also is a part of economic development and moving forward,” he said.

The report shows the economic impact of Indigenous tourism in the Atlantic region has contributed to 2,900 jobs.

It highlights that while the tourism in Indigenous communities is growing, it shows more needs to be done, like promoting the culture and language to visitors.

“If Nova Scotia is recognizing Mi’kmaq as the first original language of the province -- the way I see it, more signs is a start. Make the infrastructure of it the norm, not the special thing, but the norm,” said Jarvis Googoo, APC’s Atlantic Indigenous Economic Development Integrated Research Program’s director.

Gloade said steps like having historic Indigenous artifacts within the communities they originate is vital.

“They’re not going to go New York to learn about the Mi’kmaq here in Nova Scotia or Atlantic Canada, they’re going to come here and they want to learn about our history and culture that’s in close proximity to our communities, to our territory."

The Millbrook First Nation community has already seen more visitors this year than it ever has.

“We had a maximum of 45,000 people that walked through our door,” said Heather Stevens, Millbrook Cultural and Heritage Centre’s manager. “This year, about 50,000 people walked through our doors -- and that’s just to the middle of May.”

It took years of hard work for the centre to grow, said Stevens, and it comes with some challenges.

“We don’t really have a whole lot of Indigenous tourism businesses, such as this. We also don’t have a whole lot of Indigenous artists that are involved in the tourism industry.”

The Atlantic Policy Congress plans on visiting Indigenous communities across the Atlantic region. They are hoping to push and promote the tourism study to showcase opportunities in cultural and economic growth.

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Ontario family terrorized in break-in by car thieves with gun

A Brampton man is speaking out after thieves smashed his door with a brick and surged into his home where his children were sleeping, demanding his car keys, telling the terrified family they had a gun.

Toronto drivers to see a 'very painful summer at the pumps' as steep prices continue: expert

Drivers are already paying more to fill up than they were last year ago thanks to a recent run-up in the price of gas and one industry analyst is warning that it could be a “very painful summer at the pumps.”

RCMP launch homicide investigation after human remains found near Tsuut'ina First Nation

Human remains were discovered near the Tsuut’ina First Nation on Wednesday and police are treating the death as a homicide.

Airdrie RCMP officer charged following alleged assault outside apartment building

An Airdrie RCMP officer has been charged in relation to a March incident where a man was assaulted outside a northwest Calgary apartment.

Calgary police continue search for Chelsea Davidenas' body

Calgary police are continuing their search for the body of presumed murder victim Chelsea Davidenas.

Autopsy confirms B.C. boy died of dog bite, Edmonton police still investigating

An autopsy has confirmed an 11-year-old boy who was the victim of a fatal dog attack earlier this week died of a dog bite.

Replacement for fire-damaged St. Albert seniors residence likely to start this year: property owner

The president of a residential property development and management firm says his organization is eyeing a start date later this year to build a replacement for a St. Albert seniors complex that burned down nearly three years ago.

'A big loss for everyone': Friends, family mourn Quebec man killed by Israeli airstrike in Gaza

Friends and family members are mourning the death of Jacob Flickinger, a Canadian military veteran and father to a one-year-old son who was killed in an Israeli airstrike in Gaza, amid calls for an investigation into the attack.

More than 100,000 customers without power in Quebec as spring storm dumps heavy snow

More than 100,000 customers remain without power across Quebec after snow blanketed the province Thursday.

Man, 71, struck by commuter train in Montreal West

A 71-year-old man was sent to hospital in critical condition after he was struck by a commuter train in Montreal West on Thursday afternoon.

Spring snowstorm brings 15 cm of snow to Ottawa, knocks out power across eastern Ontario

Ottawa received 15 cm of snow from a spring snowstorm that has moved through the region.

SOLAR ECLIPSE | What happens to your eyes if you look at the sun without protection during the solar eclipse?

The moon’s orbit is set to position it directly between the Earth and the sun, causing a solar eclipse on April 8.

CHEO doctors to perform day surgeries at eastern Ontario hospitals

Kids and families in eastern Ontario now have access to surgical care closer to home.

Jury deliberating its verdict in case of elderly woman charged in crash that killed young girl

The jury at the trial of Petronella McNorgan started its deliberations late Thursday afternoon after hearing evidence in the case for two and a half weeks.

Community in mourning after sudden loss of Malik Edwards

Friends and family of Malik Edwards are in mourning after the sudden loss of the 23 year old.

Months-long investigation leads to human-trafficking related charges

A London man is facing several charges in relation to a months-long human trafficking investigation by London police.

Orillia man pleads guilty for his role in Letitia Heights shooting

An Orillia man has pleaded guilty for his role in a Letitia Heights shooting in Barrie last year.

OPP officer convicted of assault dodges jail time with suspended sentence

Constable Bailey Nicholls of the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) was handed a suspended sentence after being convicted of assaulting an Orillia woman during an arrest more than four years ago - a sentence that will likely save her job in law enforcement.

OPP charged 2 suspects with shoplifting from retail store

On Wednesday, Bracebridge Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) charged two individuals with shoplifting from a retail store in Bracebridge.

Northern Ontario

Bus company now offering service from Sudbury to other major Ontario cities

FlixBus, a U.S.-based intercity bus service, announced Thursday the launch of its new service to Sudbury.

After 25 years, Sudbury’s Dog House serves final round of beer and wings

After almost 25 years of serving wings and beer across the street from Sudbury Arena, the Dog House has closed its doors for good.

$250 parking spot? Kitchener tenants battle landlord over parking price pressure

An ongoing battle between a landlord and tenants in Kitchener has sunk to a new low – a price hike for underground parking.

Handgun report prompts large police presence in downtown Guelph

Police ordered a Guelph man to get on the ground at gunpoint on Thursday morning, believing he may be armed with a weapon.

Wilmot farmland owners still in the dark about next steps on expropriation

Farmers in Wilmot Township are getting ready to start seeding because the Region of Waterloo has been radio silent about plans to either buy their land or expropriate it.

'I didn’t expect my religion teacher to have that conversation with me': Complainant testifies against former Windsor teacher

Ryan Turgeon, 39, is on trial for eight sex offences – against two complainants - for allegations ranging from 2015 to 2019.

Suspect wanted in alleged St. Clair College campus sexual assault

Windsor police are asking for the public’s help identifying a suspect wanted for an alleged sexual assault on the St. Clair College campus.

65,000 native trees to be planted in Windsor-Essex region soon

Upwards of 65,000 native trees are expected to be planted in Windsor-Essex this year by the Essex Region Conservation Authority (ERCA) with the spring planting season about to get underway.

University of Winnipeg reveals student, faculty data stolen in cyber attack

The University of Winnipeg has revealed data was likely stolen from a server containing sensitive, personal information of current and former students, employees and faculty in a recent cyber attack.

Jackpot: Manitoba woman wins $1M playing bingo

A Manitoba woman has dabbed her way to a big payday.

Man charged following attack inside Confusion Corner Burger King

Winnipeg police have arrested and charged a 25-year-old man following an attack at a Burger King that sent a man to hospital with serious injuries earlier this week.

Regina woman shares special connection to previous homeowners through items left behind

A first time homebuyer found unique items left in a home and now shares a special relationship with the previous owners.

Draft of Saskatchewan's pronoun policy gave teachers discretion for at-risk students

Emails show an early draft of Saskatchewan's school pronoun policy would have allowed teachers to use a child's preferred identification if there was concern the student faced danger when parents were notified.

Saskatoon duo are the first Sask. men to officiate a Major League Soccer game

Two Saskatonians are celebrating after becoming the first male referees from Saskatchewan to officiate a game at the highest level in the continent.

'Our lord and saviour': Saskatoon doctor allegedly tried to talk patient out of abortion for religious reasons

A Saskatoon doctor is facing disciplinary charges for allegedly counselling a patient against getting an abortion for moral and religious reasons.

Why Canada should prioritize protecting wild pollinator populations: UBC study

Better protections for wild pollinator populations in Canada could result in major financial gains for farmers while increasing food security across the nation, according to a new B.C.-based study.

Federal government reaches $7M settlement with B.C. First Nation

The federal government and a British Columbia First Nation have reached a $7-million settlement over a lumber grievance that dates back to 1942.

B.C. Police Act changes pave way for better oversight, governance

The British Columbia government is bringing in changes to its Police Act to improve governance and oversight of municipal police departments in the province.

Vancouver Island

Man arrested after exposing himself to 12-year-old girl on Victoria bus, police say

Plainclothes police officers in Victoria arrested a 65-year-old man last week after he allegedly exposed himself to a 12-year-old girl on a transit bus.

'Difficult to see': B.C. teen arrested for attempted murder after liquor store robbery

A 16-year-old boy was arrested for attempted murder and robbery Sunday after a stabbing at a liquor store in Port Alberni, B.C.

2 men injured after 'road rage' incident with Dodge Ram driver, Kelowna RCMP say

Mounties are investigating a reported "road rage" incident in Kelowna, B.C., that left two men injured last week.

Unstable nearby construction site forces evacuation of apartment in Kelowna, B.C.

More than 80 residents of a low-income apartment building in Kelowna, B.C., have been told they need to leave over a 'significant' risk to life and safety.

Kelowna man shot dead inside his auto shop, family says

A man was fatally shot in Kelowna on Wednesday, according to his sister, during an incident Mounties had been tight-lipped about.

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