In the face of stiff competition from big-draw cities such as Montreal and Toronto, and the Rockies and Vancouver out west – not to mention the US states across the border such as New England and New York – Canada’s rugged Atlantic coastline has remained stubbornly off the mainstream radar for UK tourists.
In a bid to rewrite the rulebook, the country’s four eastern provinces of Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, and Newfoundland and Labrador have joined forces, teaming up as one destination, Atlantic Canada, to boost the region’s profile in the UK.
Look out for consumer, media and travel trade activities as part of their Awaken to the Rhythm of the Sea marketing campaign. And with new flights this summer from Air Canada and GO Travel Direct, Atlantic Canada will become more accessible than ever.
But why should your clients choose Atlantic Canada? One reason is novelty; the region appeals to travellers looking for somewhere relatively unknown. And then there’s the convenience – the region is only a five-hour flight from the UK.
It also has some spectacular scenery; expansive Atlantic beaches; excellent whale and wildlife-watching opportunities; open roads, ripe for exploring on a flydrive; an old-fashioned pace of life; great lobster fishing (and eating, of course); harbour towns full of welcoming locals; and accommodation options ranging from bed and breakfasts, cabins and resort hotels to houseboats and lighthouses.
Here’s a brief breakdown of what each of the four provinces has to offer.
Nova Scotia
Wherever you are in Nova Scotia, the ocean is no more than half an hour away. This is a province of stunning seascapes, rocky cliffs and sandy beaches. The Cabot Trail, on Cape Breton Island, is one of the world’s most scenic drives. Cape Breton is also known for its wildlife, folk art, traditional music and warm nightlife.
Driving is the opposite of hassle and navigating is dead easy. When not at the wheel (or in the saddle of a motorbike!), your clients will be tempted to explore Nova Scotia’s national parks on foot, or take to the water in a boat or sea kayak.
Halifax, the province’s capital and gateway city has excellent museums and heritage sites, as well as great dining options aplenty. In fact, Nova Scotia has a surprising abundance of mouth-watering treats, from blueberries and maple syrup, to locally-caught lobster and homegrown wines.
Find out more:novascotia.com
New Brunswick
When it comes to outstanding natural beauty, The Bay of Fundy is hard to beat. Every day 100 billion tonnes of seawater roll into the bay, giving it the world’s highest tides. In the summer, your clients can expect to share the shoreline with tens of thousands of birds, as well as passing pods of whales.
Other holiday highlights include kayaking through the soaring Hopewell Rocks and getting up-close and personal with your first humpback whale.
New Brunswick also has hundreds of miles of beaches, and some of the warmest salt water north of Virginia. Kouchibouguac National Park’s miles of sand dunes make it a magnet for birdwatchers (the park is home to the endangered piping plover as well as North America’s second-largest tern colony) as well as spotters of grey and harbour seals.
Inland from its dramatic coastline, New Brunswick is renowned for its colourful fall foliage. There are also eight cities to stroll around, including Fredericton, which holds an annual jazz festival.
Find out more:tourismnewbrunswick.ca
Newfoundland and Labrador
St John’s, Newfoundland is less than five hours from the UK, so your clients can catch a lunchtime flight and arrive in time for a lobster dinner! After exploring St John’s, they will want to move on to Gros Morne National Park.
Here they can go hiking or kayaking, or take a boat trip through the fjords to spot breaching whales (July and August), dolphins and porpoises, or maybe even glimpse the odd iceberg drifting south.
Canada’s newest national park, Torngat Mountains, offers insights into local Inuit culture. At the Inuit base camp, visitors can chat with tribal elders as well as experience traditional activities such as fishing for char, walking on the tundra and storytelling.
Beyond the parks, the region’s coastal towns have great charm and some great characters. Tell your clients to allow some extra time for shooting the breeze!
Find out more: newfoundlandlabrador.com
Prince Edward Island
In a part of the world that’s not exactly hectic, Prince Edward Island is known for its gentle pace of life. People come here for the endless beaches and luxury resorts, but most of all to unwind.
Popular activities include beachcombing, cycling, a round of golf at one of the island’s 30 courses, exploring Prince Edward Island National Park, holistic spa treatments and fine dining.
To enjoy the very freshest lobster, advise clients to take a fishing trip to catch and then cook their own king of crustaceans. Alternatively, they could just get together with locals at a beach clambake.
The island’s capital, Charlottetown, makes a perfect base and has a historic boutique hotel, The Great George, that’s handy for the city’s shopping, theatre district, and tranquil waterfront.
Find out more:gentleisland.com
Sell it to…
Atlantic Canada attracts couples interested in independent travel as well as families with older children who want to share some outdoor adventure. It all adds up to terrific earning potential for knowledgeable, up-to-date agents.
For agents, the best thing about Atlantic Canada is the many opportunities it offers to earn extra commission. Tailor-made itineraries are very popular and flydrives often combine two or more provinces.
Nova Scotia is connected to New Brunswick, while Prince Edward Island is just across the Confederation Bridge. Clients can fly into Halifax, Nova Scotia or St John’s (Newfoundland) where most will spend a night or two before hitting the road.
Sample product
Canadian Affair is offering a seven-night Taste of Nova Scotia flydrive package this summer from £853 per person, including twin-share accommodation, car hire and return flights from Gatwick to Halifax. The itinerary takes in Halifax, Digby, Wolfville and Baddeck, plus Sydney and Liscomb Mills in Cape Breton.
canadianaffair.com, 020 7616 9933
Frontier Canada has a flydrive holiday to New Brunswick this summer from £1,043 per person. The price includes seven nights’ accommodation and return flights with Air Canada. frontier-canada.co.uk, 020 8776 8709
Jetsave has a new seven-day cruise this autumn that combines New England in the US with ports of call in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Prices start from £949 and include flights, full-board accommodation and entertainment. jetsave.com, 0871 664 0262
