New Brunswick’s tourism minister says the staycation travel rebate program was so successful last year it has returned this year.
Tammy Scott-Wallace believes this incentive encouraged New Brunswickers to help fill up campgrounds, hotels and attractions.
“Last year the program contributed about $17 million to the economy. We paid out about $2.7 million in rebates,” she notes.
Scott-Wallace says the province’s tourism marketing plans will be mostly focused internally again this year although she adds some marketing will be aimed externally at Quebec and Ontario.
The minister is hopeful the Atlantic Bubble will reopen in July which would allow regional residents to visit the province.
She also says social media influencers will be playing a big role in marketing New Brunswick.
“These are people in our province who are constantly promoting and writing and tweeting about our province and all of the great things that we offer.”
Scott-Wallace says the staycation rebate gave residents a chance to explore their own province – some for the first time.