The Canadian dollar is on the rebound, hitting its highest levels since last summer at just below 80 cents.

It’s a marked improvement from earlier this year when the loonie dipped below 70 cents for the first time in over a decade.

Primetime for summer travel is still a few months away, but the manager of Fredericton Tourism says the Canadian dollar hovering a bit below 80 cents brings optimism to the organization’s seasonal launch.

“The dollar doesn’t move that fast, even if it gains a few cents, I think we’re still going to see that benefit this summer in Atlantic Canada,” says David Seabrook of Fredericton Tourism.

The theory is that more Canadians will stay on this side of the border to avoid paying more, while Americans will make the trip across, where their money goes further.

“We’re going to actively look towards our neighbours down in the U.S. and also the international market through our social media sites,” says Adam Clawson of Red Rover Brewing Company.

Nova Scotia has a different strategy, even with a ferry once again linking the province to the state of Maine.

“We would not base our tourism industry on the value of the Canadian dollar. If we were to go back to par by the next tourism season I think that would put us in difficult times,” says NS Business Minister Mark Furey.

An economics professor at the University of New Brunswick says like it or not, the rise and fall of the dollar and tourism goes hand in hand.

“It effects it hugely,” says Constantine Passaris.

Still, Passaris says Americans may only be moved by a dollar which has fallen lower.

“Getting Americans to come to Canada, a 60 cent dollar would be ideal for those purposes,” says Passaris.

“Whether it’s a 70-cent dollar, an 80-cent dollar or an 82-cent dollar, those benefits will still happen for the tourism industry this summer, because people are beginning a planning cycle for what they want to do…they’re considering whether they’re going to take vacation in the United States or visit a part of Canada,” says Seabrook.

With files from CTV Atlantic’s Nick Moore.