The President of St. Pierre et Miquelon and his officials paid a brief visit to Fortune today, driving off the new vehicle ferry this morning.

The visit by Territorial President Bernard Briand was part of ongoing efforts to have the French islands included in the Atlantic Bubble.

Briand never actually set foot in Fortune, but did speak with officials and local media from the ferry ramp.

Executive Director of the Legendary Coasts, Chris Sheppard says a great tourism opportunity was missed last year in not including the nearby French territory in the Atlantic Bubble and they’re hoping things will be different this year.

“If we were able to make that happen, people would be flocking down the Burin Peninsula to go to St. Pierre et Miquelon,” says Sheppard.

Similarly, he believes the people of St. Pierre who have been essentially trapped on the island for the last year, will be able to come across to visit Newfoundland.