Cape Breton tourism boom moves from Trump Bump to Canada 150

In 2016, it was the Trump Bump. This year, it's Canada 150 celebrations that have boosted tourism in Cape Breton to soaring levels.

These days it's next to impossible to find a last-minute hotel room, motel room, or campsite anywhere on the island. Some restaurants have warned over social media there are wait times to be seated and have asked for patience.

The village of Louisbourg is enjoying an exceptional summer of tourism, due mainly to a 39 per cent increase in visits to the Fortress of Louisbourg National Historic Site.

"We've had people come back into the park this year who haven't been here for years," said Eddie Kennedy, the visitor experience manager at the fortress. "They're amazed by all the programming that we're offering and they're walking out saying, 'We're going to be telling our friends about this.'"

Admission is free at all national parks across the country this year, and Kennedy said that's been an important factor in drawing more visitors. 

"Parks Canada, as a whole, is up about five per cent in its visitations," he said. "Atlantic Canada, the numbers seem to be a bit stronger."

Visitation at Cape Breton Highlands National Park has risen 20 per cent, Kennedy said, Alexander Graham Bell National Historic Site in Baddeck is up about 32 per cent, while Marconi National Historic Site in Glace Bay has shot up 49 per cent.

More visitors means more business for hotels and restaurants.

The Point of View Suites in Louisbourg, for example, is enjoying a 20 per cent increase in business over last season, which was a "very good" one, according to owner Linda Kennedy.

Last year, tourism on Cape Breton received a boost after the satirical Cape Breton if Trump wins website garnered international attention. It became the so-called Trump Bump.

The Village of Baddeck, in central Cape Breton, has always been a tourist hub. It too is having a banner year in 2017.

"We've seen a huge increase in longer stays," said Hilda Murphy-Phillips, the guest services manager at the Inverary Resort in Baddeck.

"As opposed to two nights, we're seeing four, five, six nights, sometimes seven nights, not just because of the Bell Museum but also because of the Highlands Park."

Murphy-Phillips predicts the wave has not crested yet.

"There isn't going to be a downturn," she said. "The Trump Bump guided people to where we are, and the 150 just blew us out of the water."

She said some guests have even booked tee times at the nearby Bell Bay Golf Club for next season and one motorcoach tour company has booked for 2020.

"It's not just our room nights, it's also our food and beverage. It's coming on the island, going around the [Cabot] Trail, they're going to all of the museums," Murphy-Phillips said.

"Everybody's going to benefit in the long run."