During the last tourist season, there has been a slight increase in the number of visitors to the Chéticamp region compared to the 2006 season. On the whole, area tourism operators have done well in spite of increased gasoline prices and the increasing value of the Canadian dollar. Businesses, associations and individuals who care about tourism in the region recently attended L’Association touristique de Chéticamp’s Annual meeting.

In the last year, tourism operators have continued to work together to achieve common goals, increasing the number of visitors to the area, increasing revenues and extending the tourist season. L’Association has continued to offer services such as area information, promotion and documentation.

We learned that actions and promotional tools inititated by L’Association touristique de Chéticamp are financed primarily by its members. Business owners have actively contributed to the area’s tourism industry by investing in the region’s promotion. L’Association has produced 50,000 copies of a promotional flyer about Chéticamp as well as coordinated tourism promotion of the area in Nova Scotia’s Doers and Dreamers’ Guide.

Furthermore, L’Association touristique hosted Fam Tours and tourism exchange initiatives. In order to offer a diversified, dynamic and quality tourism destination, L’Association teamed up with L’Université Sainte-Anne to present a series of courses aimed at tourism industry employees. 365 people took advantage of these courses.

According to Paul Gallant of the Conseil des arts de Chéticamp , various cultural events such as Le Grand Cercle and the Party de cuisine attracted a large number of visitors. As far as hotels and motels, the number of room rentals remains the same as last year. As always, campgrounds are a popular destination. We know that since several years, the number of American tourists is declining. To compensate, the industry wishes to attract more visitors from Québec.

Next season, L’Association touristiques de Chéticamp wants to continue being a leader and ensure that all recognize the importance and economic benefits of the industry. It is hoped that tourism activity can be increased with longer and more frequent visits. L’Association wants the Acadian region to become a model of exchange and cooperation between all involved.

The new Board of Diretors of L’Association touristique de Chéticamp is composed of Milton Roach, Sylvia Lelièvre, Robert Deveaux, Yvette McPhee, Ida Lelièvre, Denise Bourgeois, Marlene Aucoin, Yvon Doucet, Edna Poirier, Sandra Aucoin, Simone Boudreau, Sharon Chiasson and Valerie Roach