With another tourism year wrapping up in Prince Edward Island, one of the province's newest attractions is reporting a successful first season. Avonlea — Village of Anne of Green Gables™ in Cavendish opened in mid-July and saw steady tourist traffic from opening day right through to Thanksgiving weekend.
The Honourable Don MacKinnon, Minister of Development, was very pleased with the results of this fall's shoulder season. "Our department, along with the department of Fisheries and Tourism, is working in partnership with the tourism industry to expand their infrastructure and their season," said Minister MacKinnon. "Through Enterprise PEI, we are helping Island businesses grow, because increased business opportunities mean jobs and wealth for Island communities. Avonlea is a great example of what a new business is able to accomplish in its first year of operation."
During peak season, approximately 60 people were employed at Avonlea, from landscape workers and horse and wagon drivers to the nine merchants and their staff occupying the village. A theatre group was also employed to promote the history of Lucy Maud Montgomery by staging performances centered around the Long River Church, which was one of the churches she attended, and a restored school house where she actually taught classes.
The Honourable Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Tourism, pointed to Avonlea as evidence that the fall shoulder season initiative is working. "The success of Avonlea shows that by having the tourism industry and government working together we can extend the tourist season well into the fall, which will not only benefit the tourism industry but the whole Island economy."
This past weekend marked the closure for most of the nine merchants at Avonlea. However, one business, Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, will continue production on site at Avonlea until December to fill orders for the holiday season. By extending their operation throughout the fall, Anne of Green Gables Chocolates is able to employ six workers for an additional four months.
Mary Ellen Gallant, Manager of Anne of Green Gables Chocolates, was encouraged by the consumer response received at their Avonlea location. "We were pleasantly surprised with the number of people coming through the door in our first year," said Gallant. "Often, even in the fall, there were people standing at the door waiting to get in before we even opened. It was fabulous!"
Avonlea, a $2.9 million investment on behalf of Sea Cross Inc., is based on L.M. Montgomery's vision of a historical nineteenth century village in Prince Edward Island. The Province of Prince Edward Island, through Enterprise PEI, assisted the project through the Equity Investor Incentive Program and Interest Buy Down Program.
Enterprise PEI is the business development agency for the Government of Prince Edward Island, providing leadership in support of business development by assisting in the creation and expansion of businesses on Prince Edward Island.