New Brunswick Premier Susan Holt and tourism minister Isabelle Thériault have been on a tourism tour this week, and CHMA caught up with the political pair at Bistro Le Chat Bleu in Baie Verte.
Holt and Thériault had started off the day in Moncton at Tony’s Bistro, then bike along the Petitcodiac River, later visiting Murray Beach Provincial Park before making their way to Baie Verte for lunch.
“It was great to talk to the staff [at Murray Beach Provincial Park] about all of the increase in activity, increase in amenities, the rustic cabins that they have, the more serviced sites,” said Holt. “And it was beautifully kind of quiet and a great place to hang out.”
Holt said she’s heard from people about transportation infrastructure issues in the rural area. “When you’ve got a very bumpy road that’s been patched a lot of times, taking you to one of our provincial tourism assets,” said the premier. “That maybe sends a message that we could improve.”
“This is the reason why it’s important to go out and see,” said Thériault. “For us to be on the ground and listen to people and see the infrastructure… We can see the province from our own eyes.”
In response to a question about how covered bridges fit into tourism planning, Thériault said the historic bridges are “beautiful assets” that are important to people. “I’m constantly having discussions with my colleague, Minister Chuck Minister of DTI,” said Thériault, “and he realizes also that these are important assets for province.”
Holt said she also understood the tourism value of covered bridges, and has an aunt who published a book of pencil drawings of the province’s covered bridges. The premier said they were not considered “just bridges, but bridges with extra value when DTI is evaluating.”
“DTI has a process for evaluating the value of an asset and its touristic value is included in those considerations,” said Holt, “as well as whether it’s a route that’s used for economic purposes, whether it’s a route to a hospital or a school, whether it’s a route where vulnerable people might be.”
CHMA also asked Holt and Thériault about the possible future of provincial tourism information centres, given the recent demolition of the former Aulac Visitor Information Centre, which was shuttered by the department of tourism 7 years ago.
Holt said it was her understanding that numbers of visitors were down in welcome centres. “People vote with their feet,” said Holt, “and they stopped visiting them.” That’s in contrast to the experience of former Aulac Visitor Information Centre manager Nancy Oulton, who told CHMA the centre was always busy during the three years she worked there.
Thériault said the Liberal government has undertaken a province-wide consultation to help them come up with a new five year strategy for tourism, the results of which are being compiled now. “There might be some some discussions about that,” said Thériault. “We’re going to see what New Brunswickers told us, and we’re going to see how we can improve.”
