From new direct flights from the UK, new ferry routes and hotel openings to new accommodation types and significant historic anniversaries, there's plenty happening in Atlantic Canada as the region prepares for the 2014 visitor season to start in May.
Less than six hours' flying time from the UK, a trip to New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia or Prince Edward Island will delight visitors with diverse wildlife, outdoor adventure, seafood fresh from the Atlantic, miles of coastline and scenic driving routes – make 2014 the year to visit the nearest part of Canada.

New Brunswick

Iconic Algonquin resort prepares to reopen
After a £1.8million year-long transformation, the Algonquin Resort in New Brunswick is now open for business in time for the historic building's 125th anniversary.
Located in St Andrews-by-the-Sea, the 234-room, Tudor-style property is the first Marriott Autograph Collection Hotel in Canada.
Built in 1889, care has been taken to restore the iconic property including the restoration of the castle-like facade to its original splendour. New additions include balcony suites, indoor pool, outdoor hot tubs and outdoor pavilion and a revitalised clubhouse.
Rooms start from £138 per night on a bed and breakfast basis. www.algonquinresort.com

New hotel opens in Shediac
Located in the heart of Shediac – the self-proclaimed lobster capital of the world – the 60-room Hotel Shediac opened its doors at the very end of last year. While contemporary in design, the hotel also took inspiration from the iconic Shediac Inn built in 1853, but which is now demolished. For ultimate luxury, stay in the hotel's spa suite complete with fireplace and free-standing chromatherapy bath tub for two and be soothed by the kaleidoscope of colours. Hotel facilities include an indoor lap pool with solarium and whirlpool, as well as a fully-equipped fitness centre.
Rooms start from £75 per night, including a complimentary breakfast buffet. www.hotelshediac.ca

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Old Salt Box Co. to introduce new locations
The Old Salt Box Co., which offers accommodation in restored salt box houses in Newfoundland and Labrador, will open in two new locations – Greenspond and Musgrave Harbour in Bonavista North on the northeast coast of Newfoundland.
Salt box homes were made with wooden slats and were popular among Newfoundland settlers between 1865-1920.
The Old Salt Box Co. first started restoring salt box properties in 2011, with a property in Fogo Island and now has six properties accommodating two to six people in the Canadian province.
The homes offer fresh contemporary furnishings, modern appliances, authentic antique bath tubs and signature picture windows.
Salt boxes start from £75 per night based on two people sharing. www.theoldsaltboxco.com

Tourism rising in St John's
Newfoundland and Labrador's colourful capital of St John's has seen a significant growth in tourism of late and hotel development is continuing to expand with 700 new hotel rooms which will complete at the end of 2014.
This spring will see the opening of a new 89-room hotel from Steele Hotels in downtown St John's; whilst last year saw the opening of a 148-room Fairfield Inn & Suites by Marriott and a 129-room property from Hampton Inn & Suites by Hilton.
Hotels in St. John's have the third highest occupancy in Canada at 71%.
St. John's is the oldest city in North America with Victorian architecture, heritage shops and a lively music scene.

Nova Scotia

New flights connect Glasgow and Halifax this summer
French airline Europe Airpost will launch a series of scheduled flights linking Glasgow Airport with the Nova Scotian capital of Halifax this summer.
Europe Airpost will operate a weekly service from 4 July until 29 August.
Europe Airpost will deploy a Boeing 737-700 aircraft on the route with 128 seats: 24 in premium economy and 104 in economy.
Return flights start from £499 per person, including taxes. www.europeairpost.com

Cruise ferry to reconnect Maine and Nova Scotia this summer
A cruise ferry service will reconnect Portland, Maine, and Yarmouth, Nova Scotia from 15 May making it easier than ever to travel between the two destinations. 
A new ship, the Nova Star, has been built especially for the trip and has capacity for 1,215 passengers. With 163 cabins, a casino, three restaurants, a salon, spa and a theatre with live entertainment, it offers a new and exciting way to experience travel to Nova Scotia.
Located in the west of Nova Scotia, Yarmouth provides an ideal base from which to explore the lovely peninsulas and quiet backroads, as well as the Bay of Fundy known for its world class whale watching.
The journey will take around 10 hours each way and will offer daily sailings between the two locations.
Tickets start from £42 per person one way. www.novastarcruises.com  
 
Prince Edward Island

New culinary class honours Prince Edward Island's historic anniversary
Taste of the Past is just one of the new island-themed cooking classes available at Annie's Table Culinary – Prince Edward Island's (PEI) first dedicated private culinary studio.
Housed in a former church, Annie's Table offers hands-on cooking classes using island-sourced produce.
Taste of the Past will honour the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference of 1864 where the idea of Canada as a nation was proposed. The class will replicate an authentic period meal using some recipes from the first cookbook ever published on PEI. The Jubilee Cook Book was published by the Ladies' Aid Society of the First Methodist Church in Charlottetown and covered the period 1837 – 1897.
Additional new classes include Farm to Table where guests visit a local organic farm for produce and Black Gold which incorporates rare black garlic into the recipes.
Taste of the Past classes start from £62 per person and last for four hours. www.annies-table.com

Confederation Centre of the Arts celebrates its 50th anniversary
A series of special openings and festivities have been announced to mark the 50th anniversary of the Confederation Centre of the Arts in Charlottetown, including the record-setting 50th season of the world-famous Anne of Green Gables - The Musical, which has recently been officially recognised as the longest running annual musical theatre production in the world.
Located in the heart of the province's capital, Confederation Centre of the Arts is a national arts centre showcasing Canadian work by Canadian talent and is home to five theatres and an art gallery. An exhibit in the Centre's concourse will follow the progress of Lucy Maud Montgomery's beloved 1908 novel, Anne of Green Gables, as it gained worldwide popularity. A special exhibition of Canadian art, Oh Canada, will open in Confederation Centre Art Gallery in June. www.confederationcentre.com  

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Media contact:
For further information please contact Amy Skelding, Tryphena Greenwood or Steele Paulich at atlanticcanada@brightergroup.com / 020 7326 9880.

Editors Notes:
Release available online: http://atlanticcanadaholiday.co.uk/news-press

About Atlantic Canada:
The Atlantic Canada region is coastal Canada on our doorstep.  Just over five hours away from the UK, the provinces of New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island have all the perfect elements for an interesting and inspiring escape.  Each province has its own character but all are renowned for their outstanding natural beauty, stunning coastline, friendly people, incredible seafood, UNESCO World Heritage sites and National Parks. This region really is Canada's best-kept secret.

This project has been made possible through funding provided by the Atlantic Canada Tourism Partnership (ACTP).  ACTP is a nine member pan-Atlantic partnership comprised of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, the four Atlantic Canada Tourism industry Associations and the four Provincial Departments responsible for tourism.  www.atlanticcanadaholiday.co.uk