(Yarmouth, Nova Scotia) Businesses in Nova Scotia are buzzing after the news that the International high-speed ferry service between Bar Harbor, Maine and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia, will resume in the early Spring of 2022.
The trip by ferry takes only 3.5 hours compared to the drive which can take as long as 10.5 hours by land alone.
“The return of the ferry will once again prove to be a boost to businesses in our region and the entire province,” said Rick Allwright from the Yarmouth and Area Chamber of Commerce.
“We know that our local tourism operators and the businesses that serve this industry are looking forward to the return and getting back to business.”
Because of restrictions in both countries and the Maritime Bubble, a policy that restricted external travel from outside the four Atlantic Canadian provinces of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland and Labrador, the 2021 operating season for the ferry service was suspended on February 1, 2021.
Darlene MacDonald, Acting CEO of Tourism Nova Scotia, is also pleased with the welcome news and how it can help the recovery of the travel industry in the entire province.
“We are looking forward to welcoming more international visitors back to Nova Scotia in 2022. The Province has invested a great deal in the Yarmouth-Maine ferry, and we are committed to working with stakeholders and tourism operators to drive industry growth.”
Hearing the service will be returning to service is welcome news to local businesses in Nova Scotia, Canada.
“It’s great for both tourism and industry, as we have a lot of families and tradespeople who stay with us,” said Susanne Giebels, manager of the NovaStar Motel in Yarmouth. The NovaStar Motel is located just outside of Yarmouth on the shore of Lake Milo.
“People love to take the ferry across and make the Yarmouth area part of their vacation plans or to have a place near the shore to stay for work. It’s a great benefit to all the businesses in our area.”
Businesses in the Greater Yarmouth area aren’t the only ones to benefit from the ferry service returning in 2022.
“The re-opening of this International high-speed ferry service is welcomed by not only the tourism industry but many smaller and family-run businesses in the Yarmouth area and throughout Nova Scotia who benefit from this traffic. Our neighbours and tourists to the south use this Canadian point of entry for their Nova Scotia and Maritime holiday adventures. We look forward to welcoming them once again,” added Kathy Blois, the Principal Travel Designer for Wanderlust Excursions.
Starting in 2018, the Yarmouth Ferry Terminal has received a $9.7-million upgrade, thanks to contributions from three levels of government. The federal and provincial governments contributed $3 million each and the Town of Yarmouth, the Municipality of Yarmouth and the Municipality of Argyle funded the remainder.
Rick Allwright mentioned this in his comments on the Ferry Service’s return.
“With all of the upgrades at the Yarmouth terminal we are looking forward to seeing this major investment by our municipalities be put back to work.”
“We continue to work with our tourism marketing organization and Bay Ferries to make the best use of this service and see to it that we are ready to welcome the many visitors that are expected to come to the province in 2022.”
With travel allowed in both directions of the USA-Canada border, it will be a welcome point of trade and tourism for all communities involved.
Media Contact
Company Name
NovaStar Motel
Contact Name
NovaStar Motel
Phone
9027422408
Address
214 highway 1 Dayton
City
Yarmouth
State
Nova Scotia
Country
Canada
Website
https://novastarmotel.ca/