Bright Future

Bright Future

Future Seafoods lands on list of Signature Canadian Experiences

Ryan Quigley

Journal Pioneer

FERNWOOD- A Prince county company has been included in the Canadian Tourism Commission’s Signature Experiences Collection.

Future Seafoods was one of two Island companies and one of 48 Canada wide selected by the program which aims to lure international travelers to Canada by marketing unique and exotic experiences.

Tranquility Cove Adventures in Georgetown is the other Island experience that made the list.

Future Seafoods contribution offers a Tong and Shuck experience, where part owners Brian and Erskine Lewis take customers out on a boat to their Oyster farms on Salutation Cove.

After coming in they are treated to an Oyster party at the company’s plant in Fernwood, where co-owner Ted Boutilier shows off how to properly shuck an oyster while educating them on the oyster farming and selling business. 

Customers are also treated to a box of oysters and the trying Future Seafoods Oysters Rockyfellas, a signature food from the company.

Boutilier said Reader’s Digest is coming to do a story on the unique tourist opportunity.

Boutilier said the CTC had asked if they wanted to be part of the Signature Experiences in the preliminary stage but never thought they would actually be chosen.

“The first reaction (when they found out) was wow, us, Future Seafoods. We’re just three guys. It struck me,” he said. “I’m very proud of it, because it shows us we provide a good time.”

Boutilier said this is their third summer doing the program, which they’ve done in conjunction with Experience P.E.I. and they have always received positive feedback.

“They’re very entertained when they leave here,” he said. “This is the most fun we have.”

Boutilier said opinions differ when asked what the favourite part of the experience is.

“If you ask Brian or Erskine, they say their favourite part is the water. If you ask me, the favourite part is here eating oysters.”

Boutilier said Future Seafoods’ program is suited for the higher spending tourist who wants to experience a real part of Islander life.

CAPTION: Ted Boutilier, co-owner of Future Seafoods, demonstrates how to shuck an oyster at the company’s plant in Fernwood Thursday afternoon.

“(The higher spending tourist) doesn’t want to go to Anne of Green Gables, that’s what it seems like to me. They don’t want to go to Cavendish, to all the traditional venues. They want to go off the beaten track to see what Islanders really do,” he said. “We’re promoting a way of life.”