How A Non-Profit Tourism Operator Is Reopening Post-Covid
SAINT JOHN — The impact that the Covid-19 pandemic has had on tourism operators has been felt deeply in the Maritimes, and that fact rings true for non-profit organizations like Kingston Peninsula Heritage.
Located in the centre of the Kingston Peninsula, the organization is dedicated to preserving, investigating and researching loyalist history, both on the peninsula and the surrounding areas. Volunteer historians dedicate their time to educating locals and tourists at the 1810 Carter House Tea Room and the John Fisher Memorial Museum.
But staying alive during the pandemic has been tricky, according to Hannah Kindred, a built heritage interpreter at the site.
“The impact has definitely been significant,” said Kindred in an interview with Huddle. “We weren’t open to the public last summer due to Covid restrictions and a lot of uncertainty comes with that. It’s definitely impacted the amount that the public has been aware of our existence.”
The organization receives some funding from the provincial and federal governments, some of which go towards hiring summer students. But other than that, Kingston Peninsula Heritage doesn’t see a lot of additional cash.
If it weren’t for its dedicated volunteers, Kindred believes they would be in a different boat.
“A lot of members have taken their own personal time and efforts to really contribute and make sure that this organization has what it needs to thrive,” said Kindred. “I think that has helped in a large way, considering a lot of places that have struggled over the course of Covid.”
As New Brunswick lifts pandemic restrictions and reopens its borders to travellers from outside of the province, Kindred said the heritage site is now taking measures to remind residents and tourists that it’s up and running.
On top of being heavily engaged on social media this year, Kingston Peninsula Heritage has also been attending local farmers’ markets. There, they set up historical exhibits, demos and artifacts to show those in attendance.
Notable events include the Sussex Tractor Show and the Quispamsis Farmer’s Market.
“It’s really all about reaching those that might have never known that we were here in the first place to let them know, ‘hey, we’re here,’” said Kindred. ”Just reminding people that the world didn’t completely stop when Covid started.”
Kindred said the organization’s official start to the tourism season began on July 6 and it’s already seen a lot of interest from New Brunswickers as a “staycation” destination. In fact, Kingston Peninsula Heritage is now in the process of designing “staycation-friendly” activities like self-driving tours.
“We’re really excited to get that up and running off the ground and it’s been really well received by the community so far,” she said. “We’re hoping to get lots of people driving around enjoying the beautiful scenery that peninsula has to offer as well as some of our rich history.”
With New Brunswick entering the green phase, Kindred sees it as “a glimmer of hope.” Mainly, she’s looking forward to restoring a sense of community, something people are missing the most these days, she said.
“I’m really hoping to reach out to more local historians and members of the community that might have more to share,” said Kindred. “I’m really hoping to see lots of local and not so local people come down to enjoy everything that the museum and the peninsula has to offer.”
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Aaron Sousa is a summer intern for Huddle. Send him story suggestions: [email protected].