By Kevin Bissett
FREDERICTON — If you’re planning a trip to Atlantic Canada or the northeastern United States this year, then tourism officials say pack your passport and enjoy a “Two-Nation Vacation.”
The tourism departments in Maine and New Brunswick have jointly launched a promotion encouraging visitors to make their visit to the region an international experience.
“A visit to Canada and the United States allows you to explore the history and culture shared by these two regions while experiencing the breathtaking scenery, distinctive seafood and unique culinary fusions, and the warm hospitality of these two neighbouring countries during one fun-filled trip,” is the opening line of a website that outlines the promotion.
New Brunswick Tourism Minister Trevor Holder said while the two jurisdictions have been promoting a regional vacation for a number of years, efforts are being made this year to ramp-up that effort.
“The whole idea of crossing a border is exciting to people,” he said. “Our research tells us that people like the idea of having an international experience.”
Holder said there are many ways to explore the region, from driving to cycling, from bus tours to cruises that are offered by Blount Cruise Line in New Brunswick and Maine.
One of the many recommended places to stop is the Roosevelt Centre on Campobello Island.
The picturesque island just off the coasts of New Brunswick and Maine features the former summer home of president Franklin Delano Roosevelt.
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the international park there, which is jointly operated by the Canadian and United States governments.
“Our mission is to celebrate the friendship between the two nations so a two-nation vacation for us is just a perfect fit,” said Ron Beckwith, superintendent of the Roosevelt Centre.
Beckwith said the requirement for passports at the border after the 9/11 terrorist attacks on the United States caused a large reduction in the number of visitors to the island, but the numbers have recovered.
“In the last four years we’ve seen visitation increase in excess of 40 per cent,” he said.
The island features camping, and an extensive network of hiking trails and scenic lookouts.
Elsewhere through New Brunswick you’ll find many places to sample seafood, such as fresh lobster, travel on rivers and streams, and view the rugged coastline.
Suggestions include the Fundy Trail and Fundy National Park where you can experience the high tides of the Bay of Fundy.
Another attraction is Acadia National Park near Bar Harbor, Maine.
Park ranger Wanda Moran welcomes the idea of a two-nation vacation as a way to better educate people from each country about their neighbours.
“I grew up in Maine and really didn’t know much about New Brunswick until I started working at Acadia and talking to people who came here from New Brunswick,” she said.
The park, with its mountains and ocean coastline, gets about 2.2 million visitors a year.
“We have a wonderful system of carriage roads that were originally designed by John D. Rockefeller Jr., and people cycle on those, walk on those and go horseback riding,” she said.
Carolann Ouellette, Maine’s director of tourism, said key to the whole promotion is the location with both Maine and New Brunswick less than a day’s drive from major cities like Boston, New York, Philadelphia, Montreal and Toronto.
“We are looking for folks who are looking for an international experience and for people who are looking to connect with the culture experience where they are meeting new people and trying new things,” she said.
“It’s a fun mix of culture, food and landscape.”
Asked for the best way to plan a trip through Maine and New Brunswick, Ouellette said just grab a map and head off on your own.
“You can follow the coastline and tailor your trip to your specific needs,” she said.
If you go:
For details on the promotion and things to do:
www.two-nation-vacation.com
www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca
www.visitmaine.com
www.mainetourism.com