Tourism operators say visitors seeking 'hands-on' experiences

It was overcast and raining when Cheryl Foster woke up and gathered her gear for a paddle in a kayak under the Confederation Bridge by Borden-Carleton, P.E.I.

Foster was one of theparticipants of the second Sea the Coast Paddle Festival, an example of a "hands-on" experience tourism workers say visitors are increasingly seeking.

"A little chilly but wedressed appropriately for the weather conditions and it was really awesome," Foster said.

"It was spectacular, even with the fog and a bit of the rain."

"People are ... increasingly looking for more hands-on experiences so this festival provides that," said Peggy Miles, tourism development manager with Central Coastal PEI.

"This morning we had our sunrise paddle, pretty magical, they kayaked under the Confederation Bridge...You know that is a once in a lifetime opportunity for a lot of people."

The Sea the Coast Paddle Festivalincluded a large cultural component with members of P.E.I.'s Mi'kmaqcommunity teaching and performing.

"We had a smudgingceremony to start off the whole event and it adds so much and creates some dialogue and some opportunitiesfor learning,"Miles said.

Anotherfestival taking place in Souris, P.E.I., on Sunday was the PEI Lobster Festival.

It included free tours of the Sourislighthouse, views of authenticfishing boats and a competition for sixlocal chefs who createdlobster rolls.

The winning chef walks away with the trophy, whilespectators can buy the lobster rolls.

"It is a festival to bring people in the shoulder season of the lobster and the tourism," said Wallace Rose, the sales and marketing director for the PEI Lobster Festival.

Rose expects to see around2,000visitors atthe one-day event, which includes the free afternoon activities and aticketed evening dinner.

"We havevisitorshere from British Columbia, from Ontario,Alberta, the United States. We have sold some tickets to people in Europe that were coming to stay for a couple ofweeks,"Rose said.

"Even though it is being held inSouris, and the eastern end of the island, we belive that it is promoting Prince Edward Island in general."

More P.E.I. news