Article content“The economic spin-offs for the entire community during the summer are very, very, very important to the economic stability of our community.Article content“So we really tried to find a way around it, and the virtual tour was really the only option that we could figure out where the people would get a semblance of the history and a semblance of how things were and an actual look where they were going and do it with a tour guide.”Article contentBeing in person with a tour guide makes all the differenceArticle content Marty the Miner is the Bell Island No. 2 Mine Tour and Museum’s mascot. Little Marty the Miner stuffies are available at their gift shop. – Teresita McCarthy/Contributed. Photo by Teresita McCarthy/ContributedArticle contentFolks interested in the Bell Island No. 2 mine can take a tour through YouTube at any time, but McCarthy emphasized that the knowledge of the tour guides adds significantly to the experience.Article content“You’ve got a live guide who’s done the tour for years and years and years and who can answer your questions first hand, who can respond to any information that you might like to have, who can crack a joke, who can tell a story about their families who worked in the mines,” she said.Article contentArticle contentPlus, at the end of the virtual tour, visitors do get the experience of going into the entrance of the mine, but only for a look.Article content“I’m not picking on YouTube, I’m very glad that it’s there,” she added. Article contentNevertheless, you don’t get to see the crash photos, the Harry Hibbs exhibit, the Unsung Heroines exhibit, the Second World War memorabilia, the replica of the Legionnaire, or the rest of the historical artifacts in the museum, McCarthy said.Article content“When you’re not seeing it in person, you don’t get to experience the museum, don’t get to experience a tour guide bringing you through the museum and allowing you to see firsthand and to be told the historical significance.”Article contentArticle contentVisitors have voiced their disappointmentArticle content The Bell Island No. 2 Mine Tour and Museum also has a cafe serving breakfast, chili, French onion soup, pea soup, sandwiches and their own Miner’s Blend coffee and iced Coffee. – Teresita McCarthy/Contributed. Photo by Teresita McCarthy/ContributedArticle contentThe tour and museum opened on May 18, and the tour was virtual right from the get-go. Nevertheless, there were visitors still unaware of the change before arriving on the island.Article contentPeople have voiced their disappointment in not receiving the full experience and not being properly informed through the museum’s social media and website before arriving.Article contentIn response to their disappointment, McCarthy said, “When you’re in business, you have to be aware that people’s opinions are very valued and whether they’re in your favour or not. There are lessons to be learned from every review.”Article contentThey have had people come to the desk, have a chat with their customer service specialist, one of the tour guides, or summer staff, and leave after being told that the mine tour is virtual.Article content The Bell Island No. 2 Mine Tour and Museum also has a gift shop with lots of goodies. – Teresita McCarthy/Contributed. Photo by Teresita McCarthy/ContributedArticle contentOn the flip side, they have also had some people who made the decision to experience the virtual tour and were delighted with what they received.Article content“For people who have mobility issues, the way we’re operating this year is almost like a godsend to the people who’ve come to see the actual site,” she noted. Article content“It would be wrong for me to say they’re not disappointed. Sure there are, there are people who are disappointed, absolutely.Article content“But, as I said in the beginning, we are doing our best to accommodate, and we’re doing our very best to make sure that the people who come get the very best experience that we can give them.”Article contentAnasophie Vallee is a Local Journalism Initiative reporter covering Indigenous and rural issues.Article content
‘Renovations have to occur because of regulations’: Bell Island Mine tour goes virtual this summer
