May 21, 1998
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following information is being released by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation on behalf of the Avalon Convention and Visitors Bureau (ACVB).

New tourism partnership for Avalon region

Mr.Armand Agabab, Chairman of the Board of Directors, today announced the creation of the Avalon Convention & Visitors Bureau (ACVB). The ACVB is a non-profit, member based organization dedicated to promoting the Avalon region for meetings, conventions, incentive travel, special events and the general sightseeing/touring market, including motorcoach and cruise.

The eight major hotels in St. John's (Hotel Newfoundland, Delta Hotel and Conference Centre, Quality Hotel, Battery Hotel and Suites, Hotel St. John's, Holiday Inn, Airport Plaza Hotel and Best Western Traveller's Inn) have spearheaded this initiative and will provide ongoing funding to the ACVB. Other key partners include the City of St. John's, the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and Canadian Heritage.

"The Avalon Convention & Visitors Bureau," stated Armand Agabab, "will function as the destination marketing organization for the Avalon region and co-ordinate the resources of all the tourism industry partners to create a focused, strategic approach to promoting our unique tourism product."

Marketing efforts will concentrate on two areas: conventions /meetings and sightseeing/touring. The ACVB will ensure that its plan is integrated with that of the province and City of St. John's, as well as other tourism associations on the Avalon. Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation for the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador said, "My department is very pleased to be involved with this significant development in the tourism industry. The Avalon region is integral to the development of our industry and partnerships like the ACVB help leverage our marketing dollars. The competition is keen so we must work together to succeed."

The Mayor of St. John's, Andy Wells confirmed the support of the city and stated that, "The creation of this organization will definitely enhance the marketing resources currently being expended to promote the City. I'm encouraged by this demonstration of public-private sector partnering that the ACVB represents."

The Avalon Convention & Visitors Bureau will immediately launch its membership campaign and will offer a variety of `value added' services to potential members such as, lead referrals, tourism counseling, networking functions, marketing information and coordination, member directory, tourism publications and the operation of the Visitor Information Centre at The St. John's Airport.

Contact: Mike Buist, General Manager,
              Avalon Convention & Visitors Bureau
              Box 205, Suite 201
              Murray Premises
              5 Beck's Cove
              St. John's, NF
              A1C 6H1

1998 05 21 11:35 a.m.