The minister of tourism says the department is doing what it can to support an industry left reeling by the pandemic.

Up to 86 per cent of the $1.14-billion local tourism industry relies on out-of-province visitors. While the province promoted a staycation campaign this past summer, operators say it wasn’t enough to keep the wolf away from the door.

The operators of Fishers’ Loft in Port Rexton have proposed a marketing campaign this fall focused on the Atlantic bubble, and an incentive program to encourage visitors to come to the province.

Minister Bernard Davis says the marketing is already underway.

He says the government’s staycation marketing campaign moved directly into the Atlantic bubble and preparations are underway to make sure they’re ready for when the Canadian bubble opens.