Cheaper Marine Atlantic fares are a win for tourism industry, says Hospitality N.L.

More affordable fares for passengers using Marine Atlantic ferries is a win for Newfoundland and Labrador, according to Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador chair John Deveraux. 

"With lower fares, we're definitely going to see an increase in more visitors to explore our province, [and] ease of cost for residents, visitors and businesses alike," he told CBC.

On Monday, Prime Minister Mark Carney announced that he's cutting Marine Atlantic passenger and vehicle fares in half by increasing funding to the ferry service that operates between Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. 

Ottawa is also freezing commercial freight rates on that route.

"If we are going to build a stronger, more united economy, and we are doing that, we are going to need to make it more affordable to travel around this country, for people and for businesses," Carney said. "Today's announcement will mean more Canadians can see more of Atlantic Canada."

Deveraux said Hospitality N.L. has spent years advocating for the ferry service to make its routes more affordable. On Friday, passengers will begin to see those savings. 

"I think there's going to be average savings of about $300 to $400 one way from Argentia and probably about $100 to $200 one way from Port aux Basques," he said.

More ferries needed

Marine Atlantic is experiencing a spike in travellers this summer, and Deveraux says there's been an increased interest and usage of the ferry service during peak seasons in the last few years.

While the ferries are not sold out, Deveraux said, Marine Atlantic will need to develop a plan around fleet capacity. 

"Now we've got to hopefully up our fleet," he said.

Marine Atlantic currently operates four ferries on two different routes. The year-round ferry service operates between Port aux Basques and North Sydney, N.S., with three vessels on its regular fleet: The Blue Puttees, Highlanders, and Leif Ericson.

The second seasonal route operates between Argentia and North Sydney. It runs up to three times per week from June to September using the service's newest vessel, the Ala'suinu.

Marine Atlantic spokesperson Darrell Mercer told CBC that the Leif Ericsson, the ferry's dedicated commercial vessel, is approaching 35 years in service.

As the ferries age, he said, the boats run into more issues.

"What may fit for our service today might not necessarily be what fits in the years and years ahead," Mercer said. "Fleet renewal is a constant discussion that we have with the [federal] government."

Hospitality N.L. is prepared to support Marine Atlantic as it works with the federal government to expand its fleet, he said.

"The only way they're going to be able to, especially in peak season, to accommodate more passengers is to have more vessels," Deveraux said. "Anything we can do to help will be there to stand beside them."

Refunds by September

Mercer said 110,000 people should receive automatic refunds by Sept. 1 to accommodate the ferry service's changing rates. 

Deveraux expects these savings to benefit the province's economy and entice people to eat at restaurants and experience more of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Our hiking and our icebergs and our whales and everything else, it's definitely a bucket list trip, and word is getting out there that the hidden gem is no longer," he said.

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