Angie MacIsaac is engaged in a bustling day as she educates a group of American tourists visiting the Strait Area Museum about the historical significance of the Canso Causeway. A notable sight near the museum is an abandoned structure in Port Hastings, N.S., previously home to the Visitor Information Centre that ceased operations in February due to provincial budget reductions.
In response to the closure of the official visitor centre, MacIsaac and her museum team have initiated a year-long trial project to establish a “community visitor information centre” to cater to tourists exploring Cape Breton. Their objective is to bridge the gap left by the shutdown of the former centre and eventually transform the museum into a permanent point of welcome for visitors.
In February, after the closure announcement, Destination Cape Breton, a tourism advocacy group, rallied support from the island’s municipalities to fund a partial reopening of the centre. Nova Scotia Public Works later announced plans to demolish the former visitor centre building and an adjacent gift shop within two years to make space for a new roundabout scheduled for completion by 2029.
The lobby of the Strait Area Museum now showcases brochures that were previously available at the visitor centre, with the province developing new highway signs to direct tourists. MacIsaac and the Port Hastings Historical Society are providing training to society members and community volunteers, as student staff at the museum will conclude their duties by the end of August, making volunteer support crucial during the off-peak tourism period.
MacIsaac views the museum as having a unique opportunity to serve as the primary contact point for visitors entering Cape Breton, emphasizing the importance of creating a warm welcome atmosphere on the island. While the provincial government is not currently offering financial support for the museum’s new initiative, the historical society can seek funding through the province’s Community Visitor Information Centre program.
Local accommodation providers in Cape Breton, such as Yvette MacPhee, owner-operator of Ocean View Motels and Chalets in Chéticamp, believe the community-led visitor centre model adopted by the museum holds promise, drawing parallels to successful centers in St. Peter’s, Baddeck, and Chéticamp. MacPhee highlights the significance of visitor centres in areas with unreliable cell coverage like Cape Breton, where tourists may struggle to find lodging upon arrival.
As MacIsaac and her team strive to enhance visitor experiences and promote local attractions, their efforts align with a broader trend of community-driven initiatives shaping tourism services in Cape Breton and fostering a welcoming environment for travelers.