GETTING READY FOR CANADA 150
Parks Canada holding information sessions for business owners
Parks Canada holding information sessions for area business owners.
Parks Canada is expecting an especially busy season and is inviting business owners and members of the public to information sessions to help them prepare for the increased traffic.
The sessions this week will discuss Canada 150 events, upcoming roadwork and other plans in the Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
“We’re inviting folks to drop in and learn more about what’s coming up within the park this year,” said Kelly Deveaux, visitor experience manager for Cape Breton Highlands National Park.
The sessions will also provide an opportunity for the public to ask questions, get answers and pick up their free discovery pass, which will allow them to access any national park for free as Canada celebrates its 150th birthday. Tourism businesses can also pick up construction brochures and travel tips to share with their visitors.
“This is going to be great for the business community because then they can share them with their visitors as well, so just some simple tips on how to best prepare for your travels, and some of those tips include things like booking early and some hidden gems that are less frequented within the national park, and also travel during non-peak times like the spring and the fall, and then non-peak hours,” Deveaux said.
The discovery passes have proven to be extremely popular, she added. Parks Canada is already seeing an increase is campground reservations for the season.
“The sessions are also about us sharing how we’re preparing for a busy year with the local businesses surrounding the park,” Deveaux said.
If someone is unable to attend the sessions, they are invited to drop into a visitor centre or call Parks Canada to access the information.
The sessions will also talk about some of the work planned for the Middle Head Trail and the new campground at Trout Brook.
The two information sessions this week will be on Wednesday in Ingonish at the Ingonish Visitor Centre and Thursday in Chéticamp at Le Club des Retraités de Chéticamp. Both drop-in sessions run from 5-7 p.m.