The Acadian Peninsula prepares for a busy summer, despite gas prices

It’s good to see it come alivecannot help declaring Yannick Mainville, director of the Acadian Peninsula Tourist Office (OTPAAcadian Peninsula Tourism Office ), speaking of festivals.

The region is festive from June to September and it’s part of the culture of northeastern New Brunswick, he says. The return to face-to-face will encourage people to go out and have fun after two difficult years, he thinks.

The director ofOTPAAcadian Peninsula Tourism Office however, fears the impact of rising gas prices. However, he doesn’t believe that will be enough to convince people to stay home.

” The desire to see each other again will be stronger than the rise in the price of gasoline. »

Obviously, visitors will have to make choices, but they will still come. Accommodation occupancy is very high, something we haven’t seen in years. It’s a very good sign he argues.

It’s up to the FestiVin to restart the machine

The mission to restart the machine falls to the FestiVin de Caraquet, back after a two-year absence.

The organizers had only a few weeks to turn around and present a regional program, focused on the great gourmet trip in several restaurants on the Acadian Peninsula, from May 14 to June 25.

The president of the FestiVin, Barbara Lanteigne, feels a little pressure to break the ice. Restaurant owners in the region have had a hard time going through this period of health restrictions and the inflation affecting several food products could convince some people to prefer the grocery store, she says.

The world has been quite confined. He needs to get out and it will do them good. We have always thought of the Peninsula and we attract people from all over New Brunswick, Quebec and the other Atlantic provinces. We had to do something thinks the president of the FestiVin.

A busy summer

With the worst of the pandemic over, several other festivals in the region have announced a return to normal.

We are talking about the Shippagan Fisheries and Aquaculture Festival, the 40th anniversary of the New Brunswick Aquarium and Marine Centre, the Provincial Peat Festival, the International Baroque Music Festival in Lamèque, the Rendez-vous de Pride and the 60th Acadian Festival in Caraquet, La Ruée and the Party acadien in Tracadie, as well as, to wrap it all up, the Oktoberfest des Acadiens during Labor Day weekend in Bertrand.

Tintamarre at the Festival acadien de Caraquet

Photo: Government of New Brunswick

Added to this are all the local festivals and event outings [Broue à Tracadie, Les Belles-Soeurs à Caraquet] that entertain visitors, a significant windfall in the economy of the Acadian Peninsula.

Caraquet is at the heart of the revival of festivals and tourist activity, but the mayor of Caraquet, Bernard Thériault, sees a new positive peninsular attitude, especially with the municipal reform.

We must not forget the contribution of volunteers to the success of these events and the impact of the Véloroute de la Péninsule acadienne, he specifies.

By noticing all the reservations in the places of accommodation, it looks interesting. Small flat, the price of gasoline, but we have not yet felt a negative impact. For four years, rurality has taken the lead and if we have to give a palm to the tourist activity which has set the tone in the region, it is the Véloroute which clings to all our activities. he says.

And even if, in his opinion, there are still certain points to be settled – particularly in terms of accommodation – the Acadian Peninsula is ready to celebrate, as before the pandemic.