The CAT Ferry in Yarmouth will sail for the first time this season on Thursday.
Fewer Canadians are taking it to the U.S. this year, but about the same amount of American travellers are visiting Nova Scotia.
Mark Wilson, owner and CEO of Bay Ferries, says the province is open for business.
“I mean, in a perfect world, I would like that the situation at the border is different, but it’s not. And so we’re dealing with that,” said Wilson.
Many people across the country are not travelling to the United States in protest of President Donald Trump’s tariffs on Canadian goods, as well as his threats about Canada becoming the 51st state.
All are welcome in Nova Scotia, says ferry CEO
But the ferry company wants to take the high road, Wilson said.
In their advertising, they want to focus on how much value the American dollar brings to Canada, that Nova Scotia is open for business, and that everyone is welcome here. He said they are working with Tourism Nova Scotia on marketing to attract more travellers from the east coast of the U.S., including from the states of New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts and Maine.
But Wilson says they will have a successful season as long as the amount of American travellers stays consistent. He says between 75 and 85 per cent of ferry users are American.
“The prime reason for the service is about bringing visitors into Nova Scotia. And as long as we’re focused on that, and we can maintain a good number of people coming into Nova Scotia, which is the real raison d’être of the service. Then, we’re good,” said Wilson.
The ferry leaves Yarmouth at 9:30 tomorrow morning, and departs from Bar Harbour, Maine, at 3 p.m.
