The Department of Fisheries and Tourism has already announced several new marketing initiatives designed to extend the tourism season into the fall, and the latest move affirms their commitment to attract tourists to Prince Edward Island well beyond the peak summer months. Hon. Kevin J. MacAdam, Minister of Fisheries and Tourism, announced today that some Provincial Parks will stay open into October.
"We are very pleased to announce that we will be able to extend the schedule at strategically located Provincial Parks," said Mr. MacAdam. "Due to a very successful season to this point, overall revenues were up and we have decided to direct the additional revenue toward the cost of an extended fall schedule. Provincial Parks are a very important component of the Island's tourism industry."
In recent years, budget limitations forced most parks to close by Labour Day; however this does not support the province's stated strategy to extend the tourism season. Advertising and direct mail campaigns are now successfully promoting fall travel. "Provincial Visitor Information centres, golf courses and museums as well as many private sector operators are staying open well into October," said Mr. MacAdam.
"It seems natural that our Provincial Parks support this move to more fall visitation and stay open beyond Labour Day," says Mr. MacAdam. "And we are also pleased to say that this decision will generate an additional 200 weeks of employment for some of the existing park staff."
A complete schedule of the fall operating hours for Provincial Parks is available by calling Provincial Visitor Information Centres.