P.E.I. looks to Acadie to boost tourism

P.E.I. is looking to its Acadian history to boost tourism numbers.

The Evangeline Region west of Summerside is known as the heart of the Acadian area of the island. It's where most tourists interested in the province's French history go, but officials want to expand that to other cultural areas.

"[We will] identify the product to see how we can help in establishing new Acadian experiences through tradition, cuisine, music, visual arts, or any other form of artistic expression," said Marcel Bernard, co-chair of the Evangeline Tourism Association.

It is working with the Acadian Tourism Commission of Atlantic Canada on the project.

Bernard says a consultant has been hired to work on an island-wide strategy and a workshop is being held later this month at the Farmers Bank in Rustico to brainstorm ideas.

The Evangeline Region was settled by Acadians in 1812, but the first French families moved to the island in 1720. At the time, France claimed ownership of the island it called Isle Saint-Jean.

Much of the Acadian story on the island is told at the Acadian Museum of Prince Edward Island in Miscouche, just west of Summerside.