GUYSBOROUGH CO. — Hospitality and tourism staff across Guysborough County are seeing signs of a stronger-than-usual tourist season, driven by a growing number of European and American visitors. They say there has been a steady stream of travellers looking for peace, nature and a connection to the past.
In Liscomb, Stacey Barnes, guest services manager at Liscombe Lodge, said this summer’s visitor numbers are already outpacing last year.
“We’re probably up 20 per cent for May and June so far, which is a good sign,” said Barnes. “We have a lot of people from Europe–Holland and Germany we notice the most. And we have a tour bus that comes twice a week from the States.”
While overnight stays remain consistent, with most guests staying two nights on average, Barnes noted that Liscombe’s fall season is shaping up to be even busier than the summer.
“We’re busier in September and October than we are in July and August,” she said. “We have a wedding booked every weekend in September and October, so that’s when our busy season kicks off. September seems to be the new July.”
Despite the tourism boost, challenges remain. Staffing continues to be difficult due to Liscombe’s remote location. And, while the lodge has made some cosmetic upgrades, larger improvements have been limited.
“Housekeeping is always the hardest thing for us to staff, and we’re looking for one more person as a part-time front desk person, which is hard to find,” said Barnes.
In Larry’s River, Ann Marie Bagnall, co-owner of Seawind Landing Country Inn and chair of the Guysborough Tourism Association, said local optimism heading into the season was initially met with mixed results.
“Everyone started this year thinking that it would be this big banner year,” Bagnall said. “[But] June didn’t encourage a lot of Nova Scotia staycations because who really wants to travel on the weekend when it’s pouring rain or cold?”
Still, she’s seeing a strong European presence at Seawind Landing – roughly a third of her guests – and growing interest in the region’s natural beauty and quiet charm.
“We’re such a seasonal business. You have your peak months in July, August and September,” Bagnall said. “What draws people to this area is our nature, our waters … people in all parts of the world are just looking for somewhere that’s peaceful, and we are peaceful.”
Bagnall has also been focused on expanding the inn’s cultural tourism offerings, including a new venue for events and concerts. Completed at the end of 2023, the space allows them to host more weddings, retreats and performances.
“We have a quilters’ retreat coming up in November … and in August, the Acadians are bringing in a group called Moyenne – an Acadian band from the other side of the province – to play on the lawn,” she said.
In Guysborough, Chris Cook of the Guysborough Historical Society said the Old Court House Museum has also seen early-season momentum from both national and international tourists.
“There seem to be people from all over,” he said. “I remember opening day at the museum; we had people from British Columbia who were there tracing their family tree back to Guysborough.”
Cook noted that overseas visitors are arriving earlier than usual this year, and many are drawn by the area’s historical significance.
“Every summer we see tourists who are spending a significant amount of time here researching their family history, which is a lot of our bread and butter at the museum,” he said.
On Saturday, July 26, the museum will celebrate Guysborough’s 240th birthday with a barbecue, live music and a “visit” from Sir Guy Carleton – another sign that history continues to be a strong tourism draw.
While Guysborough County still faces challenges in visibility and marketing compared to Nova Scotia’s more iconic destinations, local businesses are finding their footing in what appears to be a growing tide of interest.
