N.S. Luxury Resort Hopes for Tourism Boost Amid Trade War

The operator of a luxury resort on Nova Scotia's Northumberland Shore is optimistic that the ongoing Canada-U.S. trade war and a weaker Canadian dollar will help boost tourism in the upcoming year.

Fox Harb'r Resort Looks Ahead

Fox Harb'r Resort, located in Cumberland County, is expecting a five percent increase in tourism numbers this season. Kevin Toth, the president of the resort, shared that many Canadian guests have chosen to cancel trips to the United States, opting instead for local vacations.

"This is very encouraging, and we are excited about what lies ahead," Toth stated. "We are well-prepared to welcome both local Canadian visitors and our U.S. guests this season."

Domestic Marketing to Attract Canadian Tourists

Reports indicate that Canadian provinces and territories are experiencing a rise in interest from local tourists, attributed in part to the "Buy Canadian" movement. This shift has grown thanks to U.S. President Donald Trump's tariffs on Canadian goods and his comments regarding Canada.

Toth expressed that although the resort is making efforts to connect with American visitors due to the strong American dollar, it has opted to increase its marketing budget directed toward the Canadian market as well as the northeastern U.S. and Greater Toronto Area, which are considered key markets.

Uncertainty Surrounds U.S. Visitor Traffic

While Toth anticipates a potential increase in overall tourism numbers, he mentioned that it's too early to determine how many U.S. visitors the resort will attract this season. However, he hopes that Fox Harb'r will exceed its pre-pandemic visitor levels.

Tourism Nova Scotia's Campaign

Tourism Nova Scotia has stated it is premature to confidently predict how trade tensions with the U.S. will affect tourism in the province. Nevertheless, it plans to launch a domestic marketing campaign aimed at encouraging Canadians to explore Nova Scotia, especially as local travel is trending upwards.

Statistics reveal that Canadians generally constitute 87 percent of visitors to Nova Scotia, whereas approximately nine percent are from the U.S. The marketing initiative also seeks to highlight the attractive exchange rate, which could draw more American tourists to the area.

Welcoming Americans in Digby

The Digby Area Tourism Association recently shared a letter on social media to reassure U.S. visitors that they are still invited even amidst ongoing trade tensions. Doug Ralph, the tourism development manager, noted that families and friends from the U.S., who traditionally visit Nova Scotia, have expressed concerns about how they would be received.

"Given the uncertainty, we thought it was necessary to clarify our stance," Ralph explained during a radio interview. The letter emphasized the strong bond between Canada and the United States, assuring Americans of their traditional East Coast hospitality.

Impact of the Trade War

Toth remarked that recruiting staff post-COVID has been challenging; however, Fox Harb'r Resort is currently more staffed than in previous years. The resort has invested in upgrades to better accommodate an increased number of guests.

He believes that Canadians' inclination to support local businesses will persist, regardless of the direction of the trade war. "It's likely that many Canadians will keep that loyalty to local businesses, as I have felt the uncertainty and hesitate to engage in travel investments into the United States," Toth added.

NovaScotia, Tourism, TradeWar