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Cape Breton experiencing ‘Trump Bump’ thanks to viral online campaign

Click to play video: 'Will Americans flock to Cape Breton if Trump wins?'
Will Americans flock to Cape Breton if Trump wins?
One Nova Scotia entrepreneur has a solution for Americans trying to escape a potential Trump presidency. Ross Lord reports – Mar 2, 2016

A Nova Scotia island being touted as a haven for Americans who fear the prospect of a Donald Trump presidency has seen more than a threefold increase in traffic to its tourism website this year, translating into around 3,500 bookings.

According to Nova Scotia Tourism, Cape Breton hotels and B&Bs sold 30 per cent more overnight stays in rooms this April compared to the same month last year.

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Click to play video: 'New Brunswicker selling cabin as a ‘Trump Retreat’'
New Brunswicker selling cabin as a ‘Trump Retreat’

Mary Tulle, CEO of Destination Cape Breton, says since the “Trump Bump,” the tourism association needs two full-time staff members just to keep up with online and phone inquiries.

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Cape Breton was thrust into the spotlight in February when local radio host Rob Calabrese set up a website pitching the region as a charming, Trump-free paradise that welcomed visitors from the other side of the border rather than putting up walls.

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The “Cape Breton if Donald Trump Wins” site went viral and set off an international media frenzy, including a video report aired by cable news giant CNN.

Tulle says the unprecedented interest in Cape Breton has attracted around 1.5 million page views on the website, about a third of the clicks from curious Americans, and generated the sort of online attention she estimates would be worth $10 million in Google ad buys.

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Last month, Tulle sent President Barack Obama a hand-written invitation to Cape Breton as thanks for him giving the island a shout-out during Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s White House state dinner in March.

Tulle suggested Obama tee off at one of Cape Breton’s lush 18-hole courses, which she says all golfers are welcome to enjoy, including Trump.

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