ACOA supports Souris Lighthouse

Loan of $138,000 to go towards overnight units at landmark

The Souris Lighthouse and Beach Motel has received $138,791 in government loans to renovate its visitor cottage and two other overnight units.

The landmark in Souris West is getting the repayable contribution through ACOA’s Business Development Program to follow up improvements made last year. In 2017, the business received more than $233,000 from the government of Canada with the aim of attracting more visitors and creating new jobs in the Atlantic region’s tourism industry.

Anne and Grant Galbraith purchased the Lighthouse and Beach Motel in the fall of 2015 through their company, Galbraith P.E.I. Holdings, and have since been investing in upgrading and reconfiguring the property to accommodate longer stays.

“We are very pleased to receive additional funding from ACOA,” said Anne Galbraith. “The community support has been exceptional and we are happy to be building updated accommodations with the help of local suppliers for guests with friends and family in the area and those guests who just want to explore this part of the Island.”

An ACOA news release about the funding notes that seasonal businesses in Souris have been successfully using the region’s charming qualities that attract visitors to the area year after year, such as its musical culture, famous beach and its important link to the Magdalen Islands, to grow the local economy.

“Eastern P.E.I. is a beautiful place to visit and home to a cherished way of life,” said Cardigan MP Lawrence MacAulay in the release. “I am pleased that the government recognizes the immense value in economic development that respects and enhances our rural qualities. This investment will help the Galbraiths modernize and improve their business and is one of many steps being taken toward extending our tourism season and bringing more visitors to rural P.E.I.”

Canada’s Tourism Vision seeks to make Canada a top-10 global tourism destination by 2025.