Despite economic threats from the United States, the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador industry says it’s remaining optimistic for the summer ahead.
Some travellers are reconsidering plans to head south of the border as a result of actions by U.S. President Donald Trump. Data released by Statistics Canada shows the number of return trips among Canadians from the U.S. declined significantly in February — down 23 per cent by car and 2.4 per cent by plane compared to last year.
Deborah Bourden, the outgoing chair of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, says she hopes people choose this province instead.
Bourden said data taken within the 18 months shows that as many as 2.4 million people see Newfoundland and Labrador as a bucket list destination.
“Everything about Newfoundland and Labrador ticks someone’s box,” Bourden told CBC News Wednesday.
“If Newfoundland and Labrador has been on their list for any length of time, it just rose right up that list. And so we think that we’re going to have a very, very good 2025 season.”
But Bourden says the province’s tourism sector still faces challenges, specifically around access to the province.
Gudie Hutchings, the MP for Long Range Mountains, says the federal government understands that issue. As a result, Hutchings announced up to $6 million in funding over three years on Wednesday for airline carriers to explore routes in Atlantic Canada.
“The goal is to get more seats into these smaller areas,” Hutchings said.
But there’s still other challenges beyond that.
Bourden points to things like hotel and rental cars availability — especially with the Canada Games coming to St. John’s in August — but says she’s confident inventory will be in place given increases from suppliers.
In an emailed statement to CBC News, the Department of Tourism said it’s also confident the tourism industry can weather troubling economic times.
“With more Canadians reconsidering trips to the United States, Newfoundland and Labrador stands to benefit from increased domestic travel, offering local tourism operators a chance to tap into this growing market and showcase the beauty and hospitality of our province,” the statement said.
Meanwhile, others in the industry want to ensure support is a priority this summer.
Todd Perrin, a St. John’s restaurateur and incoming Hospitality N.L. board vice-chair, told CBC News he wants the industry to be treated like other renewable resources that bring in new money.
Tourism spending by residents and non-residents reached a record $1.4 billion in 2023, according to the Department of Tourism.
“Relative to the other industries that we have, it has greater potential than almost anything, and I don’t think it gets recognized in that way,” Perrin said.
“Most of the bars and restaurants in Newfoundland and Labrador would not exist without tourism. We have a limited population here, and demographics do not lend toward dining out and going to restaurants and bars and all that kind of stuff.”
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