FREDERICTON (GNB) – A tourism campaign designed to encourage New Brunswickers to discover their province over the coming months and support the tourism industry was launched today by the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture.

The Staycation campaign is intended to build upon the momentum of the recent NBalways campaign which had the objective of restoring hope during the economic shut down due to the pandemic. Staycation aims to motivate people to take advantage of the tourism experiences available within the province.

“There is so much to discover, explore and enjoy in our beautiful province,” said Tourism, Heritage and Culture Minister Bruce Fitch. “From Grand Manan to Miscou Island, from the Saint John River Valley to the east coast, there are options for day trips and trips lasting several days that include a variety of activities, attractions and experiences.”

Videos from the campaign will show scenes from throughout the province with the main message being Welcome back.

Developed with New Brunswick marketing firms, the Staycation campaign will run until November. A winter campaign will also be implemented to encourage participation in numerous winter events and activities in the province.

Since the beginning of the pandemic, in March, the department has worked closely with the tourism industry to assess its impact and the challenges it has created. This has included a weekly conference call with members of the New Brunswick Tourism Industry Advisory Committee. The department has also engaged and invested in all regions of the province through the municipal and regional tourism associations.

“The tourism industry has been hit hard by the pandemic,” said Fitch. “We now ask New Brunswickers to travel, explore and support local tourism operators. By doing so they will also help to restore our provincial economy.”

As part of the campaign, the department will help regions and municipalities promote their priorities:

  • Parks, Scenic Drive/Road Trips, Accommodations, Outdoor Adventure, Local Food & Beverage & Coastal Communities.
  • Information on each region through social media, including package options that can be purchased through New Brunswick tour operators.
  • Information on all products and experiences that are open to be continually updated on tourismNB.ca.

Provincial parks, attractions and heritage sites

Provincial parks are open with limited services:

  • Anchorage (Grand Manan Island)
  • Fundy Trail Parkway
  • Herring Cove (Campobello Island)
  • Mactaquac
  • Mount Carleton
  • Murray Beach
  • New River Beach
  • Oak Bay
  • Parlee Beach
  • République
  • Sugarloaf
  • Val-Comeau

Some of the main provincial attractions that are also open, with limited services are:

  • the Hopewell Rocks Provincial Park,
  • the Jardin Botanique du N.-B. (NB Botanical Gardens),
  • Kings Landing (Wednesday to Sunday),
  • the Village Historique Acadien,
  • Ministers Island, Saint Andrews, and
  • Sheriff Andrews House, Saint Andrews.

Provincial heritage sites that will reopen in the coming weeks include:

  • Doak House Provincial Heritage Place, Doaktown on June 29, and
  • MacDonald Farm, Bartibog on July 2.

Miscou Island (lighthouse and visitor information centre) has no opening date yet, but there are plans for it to open later in the season.

Cape Enrage Park and the Bonar Law provincial heritage place will not open this season.

More information on activities and services is available online at tourismNB.ca.

16-06-20