March 22, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
BACKGROUNDER
ECO-TOURISM POTENTIAL IN PROVINCE BEING BUILT THROUGH TRAILS
Hiking and snowmobiling are key to developing the eco-tourism experience
in Newfoundland and Labrador. Access to the back-country, the coastline and wild spaces
requires a network of durable and scenic trails. Newfoundland and Labrador's trails must
be competitive with other destinations, and must offer a variety of challenging and unique
experiences if we are to maximize the economic potential of this natural resource.
To deliver on this requirement, the provincial government, along with
local partners and the Government of Canada, have started a series of major trail building
initiatives including:
T'Railway Provincial Park
The T'Railway Provincial Park is being developed by the Department of
Tourism, Culture and Recreation in coordination with the Newfoundland and Labrador
T'Railway Council, municipalities, and federal departments. The T'Railway Park is a major
contribution to the completion of the Trans-Canada Trail.
Through various funding sources, 13 projects totalling $1 million will
bring trail components on stream for the spring and summer of 1999. These projects are
located in Howley, Grand Falls-Windsor, Norris Arm, Gander, Benton, Gambo, Clarenville,
Holyrood, Avondale, and northeast Avalon areas. Planning is still underway for the
T'Railway bypass of the Pasadena to Corner Brook area. The T'Railway Council is currently
preparing a five-year plan for further development.
East Coast Trail
Snowmobile Trails
In partnership with the federal government, Regional Economic
Development Boards (REDBs) and business groups, the provincial government is developing a
world-class snowmobile product, which the Canadian Council of Snowmobile Organizations
ranks as potentially the best in Canada.
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To date, $5.9 million has been approved for the development of snowmobile
trails on the island portion of the province over the next three years. The Labrador Trail
Initiative will cost $5.6 million over the next three years, of which $2.7 million has
already been approved for trail development in 1999 and 2000. When completed, the province
will offer over 2,700 kilometres of groomed trails creating over 1,000 permanent direct
and indirect jobs in the snowmobile industry, with a value of over $100 million to the
provincial economy by 2004.
These initiatives complement the many local trails in the province, as
well as the growing trail systems in the national parks.
Media contact: Tara Laing, Communications, (709) 729-0928.
1999 03 22
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