Several of top tourism sites saw double-digit increases in visitors this summer, although the province cut its support for tourism from $20.2 million last year to $12.8 this year. (Radio-Canada)
The New Brunswick government is pointing to double-digit increases in the number of visits to many of the province's premiere tourism sites this summer.
But critics and stakeholders are warning that the long-term effects of Progressive Conservative cuts to tourism marketing haven't been felt yet.
Tourism Minister Robert Gauvin revealed the numbers at Kings Landing near Fredericton, a popular site that saw an 18 per cent spike in visitors during the summer.
Overall, tourist sites reported an eight per cent increase from June to August.
Tourism operators promoted online
This past summer, Kings Landing, a living history museum outside Fredericton, saw an 18 per cent increase in visitors. (Philip Drost/CBC)
Gauvin told reporters the increases were due to tourism operators using social media to promote themselves and each other to New Brunswickers, not just out-of-province visitors.
"They are the key to success, the private sector," he said. "They have a younger approach. They're working together. They're sharing. … They cross-promote, and they keep people here longer, and that adds up at the end."
Some of the other increases Gauvin cited were: the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre in Shippagan, up 21 per cent, the New Brunswick Botanical Garden, up 17 per cent,the New Brunswick Museum, up 18 per cent, the Roosevelt Campobello International Park, up 11 per cent, Village historique acadien, up eight per cent, and Hopewell Rocks, up six per cent.
He did not provide a full list of sites or identify those that saw decreases or smaller increases.
Tourism Minister Robert Gauvin said that overall, tourist sites reported an eight per cent increase from June to August. (CBC)
Liberal MLA and tourism critic Jacques LeBlanc credited the previous government of premier Brian Gallant and its big increase in the tourism marketing budget.
"We're reaping the benefits," he said. "I believe the benefits we're reaping this year are the investments the previous government had put forward."
PCs cut tourism funding
The Liberals announced their tourism growth strategy and its $2 billion goal in 2017. They poured $12.6 million into capital spending on tourism in 2018-19, almost a 20 per cent increase, and $6 million to fund new marketing efforts.
Dan Myers, former chair of the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick, said those cuts, which took effect April 1, would not have had an effect on 2019 tourism visits but will show up in years to come.
"You're never marketing for today, tomorrow or next week," he said. "Marketing's for the future, a year down the road, two years, five years down the road.
"I really don't think the cuts would have anything to do with this year. People would have had plans before those cuts came into place. It would take us a couple of years to see what those ramifications would be."
Final figure not available
The Tories say they remain committed to reaching the target set by the Liberals of $2 billion in visitor revenues by 2025, though Gauvin said "it may take a year or two more" than 2025.
From $1 billion in 2016, visitor revenues leapt to $1.3 billion in 2017, and the Conference Board of Canada forecast $1.5 billion for 2018.
There wasn't a final figure available Wednesday because of changes in how the data are calculated by Statistics Canada, the Conference Board said.
The tourism minister decided this was the last year the New Brunswick tourism brochure would be printed. 0:29 The PC cuts eliminated the printed visitor guide for tourists and closed visitor information centres at two entrances to the province, in Woodstock and Aulac.
Myers said eliminating the printed guide makes sense because of a large shift to online bookings in the industry.
Jacques Poitras has been CBC's provincial affairs reporter in New Brunswick since 2000. Raised in Moncton, he also produces the CBC political podcast Spin Reduxit.
17 Commnents Commenting is now closed for this story.
Donald Gallant This sounds like a complete crock.
Use any spare money to get a ferry to Campobello and complete the roads from Fundy Parkway to Sussex & # 114 to Alma.
David Amos So just exactly what is Robert Gauvin seeking our blessings for?
Marguerite Deschamps Content disabled Robert Gauvin of the COR party!
David Amos Content disabled
Reply to @Marguerite Deschamps: Methinks he is SANB through and through You dudes just won't admit it tis all N'esy Pas?
Peter Churche Could also be due to the fact that the Province handed out free access passes through the library to anyone who had a library card.
Al Clark
Reply to @Peter Churcher: Which eliminates most on here....
William Vanston The money needs to be spent on your roads. Last years Susex to Alma drive made this years stay in Booth Bay Me. The right choice and no need to buy a new wheel and tire.
BruceJack Speculator
Reply to @William Vanston: when a NB govt awards a contract to advertise tourist sites, which is more important? the effectiveness of the ad or which company gets the money?
Jim Johnston
Increase from what? what were the actual numbers? Sounds great but without context it means absolutely nothing. Maybe CBC can find some reporters who aren't part of a high school newspaper to provide stories for this site.
Fred Brewer I quote Mr. Guavin "They are the key to success, the private sector,". Absolutely correct, Mr. Gauvin. Now, let's have the government apply that principle to Cannabis NB, NB Liquor and NB Power.
Marguerite Deschamps The big flop comedian will also end up being a big flop minister and politician.
BruceJack Speculator maybe some of the increases in certain sites were because people did not want to have to turn up their noses and stay away from the water at a well known beach site ? ?
Sean Pendragon There is zero correlation between the increased numbers and the cuts. Even the timeline doesn't make sense. Lol, are they insinuating that pamphlets drove people away?
Maggie Leard
Reply to @Sean Pendragon: methinks the pamphlets NB has had developed doesnt give the full information for english speaking tourists...many very loyalists settlements and economic development of a number of firsts....ie turnbull aircraft engine, fog horn on patridge island, kingston creek with geological research, St Martins and Alma, 8th hussars museum in Sussex and the historic military 'camp' there that had Canada's largest parade square, and of course saint john that first incorporated city that gave NB the first public library, the first public schools, the home of famous actors etc, and the 'Boston Boat" that would bring many many families and tourists to saint john..
Maggie Leard many provinces use contract private operators for historic sites.....tourism grows when all the services are offered to tourists in good correct english language. the NB and Canadian governments should use the tax monies they save or earn to make sure Patridge Island in saint john harbour is restored as it is the most historical place in new brunswick (and one has to sneak over to the Island these days......)
