Visitors travelling to Cape Breton this tourism season are no longer finding an in-person Visitor Information Centre at Port Hastings after a proposal to continue operating the facility was declined by the Province.
It was one of a slew of visitor information centres and museums that were to close after cuts in the provincial budget.
In an effort to keep the Port Hastings location alive, Destination Cape Breton submitted a formal proposal to the province – supported by Cape Breton’s five municipalities- to operate the site itself this tourism season.
However, the organization says Public Works rejected the request due to work at the Canso Causeway. Destination Cape Breton received the provincial response to the proposal on July 16th.
In its response, the province stated, “The Department of Public Works is currently in the design process for a new roundabout/interchange at Port Hastings to improve the safety of all motorists travelling on and off Cape Breton Island. To ensure a proper and efficient design, these transportation improvements will require the lands currently occupied by the VIC.”
Not giving up
Despite the setback, Destination Cape Breton says it remains committed to restoring visitor services near the Causeway.
“Destination Cape Breton fully believes in the need for these travel counselling services at or near the Causeway and we are exploring short and longer-term options to return them as quickly as possible,” CEO Terry Smith said in a statement. “We will share an update with industry as soon as a path forward is confirmed.”
The organization also thanked tourism operators, municipalities and industry partners who supported the proposal.
“We are confident that a solution will be found.”
Tourism operator speaks out
The announcement has generated concern among tourism operators who say the visitor centre provided a valuable first point of contact for travellers entering Cape Breton.
In a widely shared social media post, the owner of Ocean View Motel & Chalets in Cape Breton said the loss of the centre is already affecting visitors during one of the busiest times of the tourism season.
The business noted that accommodations throughout the area are largely full, with traveler’s stopping despite “No Vacancy” signs in search of available rooms. Without the Visitor Information Centre, the post says visitors have fewer options for finding accommodations or learning about attractions throughout Cape Breton.
The operator also recalled the important role staff at the centre played in assisting travellers.
“Last year we had multiple calls in the run of a day from the Port Hastings Visitor Information Centre. They were there to help find our visitors a bed for the night. They were there to guide our visitors so that they could make the most of their visit and enjoy all that Cape Breton Island has to offer.”
The business also pointed to challenges facing travellers who arrive without advance reservations.
“Visitors are arriving, with little to no cell phone signal, not able to call ahead, not able to reach anyone for accommodations. Yes… people do still ‘wing it’ and find themselves sleeping in their vehicles.”
Cape Breton hospitality
While expressing disappointment over the closure, the Ocean View emphasized that Cape Breton’s hospitality remains unchanged.
“We hope this reaches wide, we hope you hear us when we say we appreciate our visitors and the Cape Breton welcome is still loud and clear. It may not be in a building at the other end of the Canso Causeway but rest assured that it is in every community, every village, and every town.”
Destination Cape Breton says it will continue working with government and industry partners to identify a new location or alternative approach to restore travel counselling services near the gateway to Cape Breton Island as soon as possible.
