Non-profit set to shut its doors as P.E.I. government takes over tourism inspections

A non-profit that has been responsible for inspecting tourism accommodations in Prince Edward Island for more than 30 years is preparing to close up shop.

The P.E.I. government informed Quality Tourism Services this spring that it was cancelling its contract, with provincial government workers taking over the inspections. 

That process is now underway. The move will put 10 people at its Central Bedeque office out of work. 

Colin MacIntyre, executive director of Quality Tourism Services, says he's already hearing from operators concerned about the change.

"I think it's important to have an independent third party doing the inspection. There's a lot of operators concerned about favoritism," MacIntyre told CBC News.  

"They can go to their MLA and get something overruled. There's a lot of that concern and just having the third party, there's more trust in that process. We've really worked hard to build relationships with operators."

Quality Tourism Services or QTS conducts more than 2,000 inspections a year, from small cottage operations to major hotel chains.

The non-profit is managed by a board of directors made up of representatives from each sector of the tourism industry. Its services cost the province nothing because the organization is funded through licensing fees paid by operators. 

Tourism Minister Zack Bell said the province is trying to "professionalize the industry," adding that so far, staff are telling him the transition has been seamless.

"I don't want to say there were concerns [about QTS's work] by any stretch of the imagination, but it's just one of those things, that we wanted to make sure that it was being done," Bell said. 

"I do want to make sure that the inspections — it's very similar to like a restaurant that's being inspected. If I'm going to eat at a restaurant, I want to ensure that restaurant is inspected. Same as riding an elevator, you know what I mean? You want to make sure that elevator is safe and that you're going to be secure."   

MacIntyre said he's hearing from some operators who are choosing not to operate this year because of the change.

"They do not wish to have the government inspect them, especially the smaller ones... I think it might drive some of the properties underground."

Heather MacQuarrie has been operating Cavendish Sunset Cottage on P.E.I.'s North Shore for the past 14 years.