The Battle Harbour Historic Trust is hoping that completion of the Trans Labrador Highway will attract greater interest from visitors in neighbouring Quebec.

The historic trust is responsible for the maintenance and operation of Battle Harbour, a fishing station that dates back hundreds of years and has remained largely unchanged over that period of time.

The community played a vital economic role at the height of the migratory fishery and the salt fish trade.

Executive Director Peter Bull first paid a visit to Battle Harbour in 2013 for what was supposed to be a weekend stay. He’s still there.

Bull calls it a magical place, but admits they don’t see any accidental tourists. You have to plan your trip to Battle Harbour, and he says now that the Trans Labrador Highway is complete, they’re expecting more visitors over the road from Quebec.

“Our motto is there’s off the beaten path, and then there’s this place,” jokes Bull. “You’re not jumping on a plane and landing in Miami and going to a hotel.” The difference, says Bull, is that Battle Harbour is “a lot more memorable than a trip to Miami.”

Bull says they’re already getting bookings for the upcoming summer season.