New Brunswickers are being encouraged to visit the Village of Alma this summer.
Spokesperson for Alma Business Connect and Village Councillor Susan MacCallum says tourism numbers are already down due to COVID-19.
She says border closures are having a major impact on some businesses, “I can speak to personally to our Bed and Breakfast. We get 60 per cent International and American guests combined, so with borders closed that’s a huge impact. But there are other accommodations in Alma that cater mostly to local New Brunswickers, so they are doing a little bit better.”
Only 200 residents live in Alma year round. MacCallum says they are coping, but it is going to be a difficult season for anyone in the tourism industry.
“Seeing in the accommodation area that people are down in reservations between 70 and 80 per cent. The restaurants are doing a little bit better, simply because they were able to open first. The gift shops I’m sure are struggling,” MacCallum says.
Her hope is New Brunswickers will make plans to visit what is known as the gateway to Fundy Park.
“We have 12 delicious restaurants, including seafood, pizza and pasts. We have a lot of artisan gift shops, hiking, biking, sea kayak rental, variety of accommodations. We are a half hour drive to Hopewell Rocks, and there are a lot of vistas that are a short distance away from Alma,” MacCallum says.
Upper Salmon River-Alma
(Photo: Courtesy of William MacCallum)
Bay of Fundy-Alma
(Photo: Courtesy of William MacCallum)
