An MLA in the Quad Counties says the Visitor Information Centre in Port Hastings is one of the prominent VICs in the province.
Allan MacMaster, Inverness’ Tory MLA, says he brought up the issue in the legislature to ask the Liberals if they value the service as much as members of the tourism industry.
He says he doesn’t have recent numbers, but more than 75,000 people visited the location at the entry to Cape Breton Island a couple of years ago.
MacMaster tells The Hawk he takes some comfort in the response from Geoff MacLellan, the province’s tourism minister.
“I think that he knows we’re not going to let this issue go if they were to choose to pursue eliminating the Visitor Information Centres,” he says. “I do have some comfort because I get the feeling they are going to keep them.”
MacMaster says the minister mentioned some possible modifications.
“He did talk about making some changes- I don’t see anything wrong (with that),” he says. “Sometimes things can change, as long as it’s in the interest of our visitors, and supportive of the people that are working at the visitor centres, because I know they’re doing a great job.”
MacMaster says the service is valued by visitors, so they should remain in place.