Port Rexton inn anticipating banner year as Canadians look inward for vacation plans

A tourism operator on Newfoundland's Bonavista Peninsula is anticipating a banner summer season, which he credits to Canadians looking to explore their own country in the face of U.S. hostility and economic uncertainty.

John Fisher, co-owner of the Port Rexton-based Fishers' Loft Inn says he's seen an increase in bookings so far this year.

"We think this will probably be our best year ever, and that's after 28 years in business," Fisher told CBC Radio's The St. John's Morning Show on Friday.

In response to U.S. imposed tariffs and President Donald Trump's rhetoric about annexing Canada, there is a growing trend of Canadians boycotting travel to the south.

"I think Canadians are not going south. They're going on vacation in Canada. We are getting a goodly number of U.S. visitors as well," said Fisher.

The situation is unfolding at an ideal time, Fisher says, as he looks to rebound from a season where his business saw 400 fewer bookings than usual a year ago.

Dim prediction

Fisher's optimism about the upcoming tourism season is in stark contrast to Conference Board of Canada's three-year outlook for Newfoundland and Labrador tourism, which anticipated a shrinking population and fewer people taking staycations.

Fisher says he couldn't believe that report.

"Our bookings are up this year, 60 per cent consistently from the beginning of the year," he said.

Conference Board of Canada senior economist Kiefer Van Mulligen says the report was put together in late 2024, ahead of Trump's tariff threats, growing economic uncertainty and Canadians boycotting travel southward.

"It's quite incredible how much has happened since then. But some things still remain stable and similar to what we expected late last year," he said.

Overall, he anticipated Newfoundland and Labrador's tourism growth will be at a moderate pace, possibly similar to the pre-pandemic period.

The province's population decline could further impact tourism since it will be harder to find staff to offer tourism services, Van Mulligen added.

Employment strong

Fisher says he hasn't experienced that labour shortage.

"I think people are being attracted to rural areas because of the cost of living in urban centres these days. Nothing like having, by the way, a craft brewery because that seems to attract young people to these communities and some of them are here to stay," said Fisher.

The Fishers' Loft employs 30 people and is fully-staffed this year, he said.

Still, Fisher says with the volatility in the world right now it makes anticipating the future difficult.

"As far as I know, all those bookings will stay and we will have several sellout days," he said.

He believes all 33 of the inn's rooms will be booked for July and August.

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