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NLIS 4
July 20, 2000
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

 

Promising indicators for 2000 tourism season

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, is pleased to note that the year-to-date tourism figures generally are very promising and auger well for the 2000 tourism season.

"We are exceeding last year�s performance in several key areas. Marine Atlantic passenger traffic and passenger-related vehicle traffic are up seven per cent and eight per cent respectively for the first six months of 2000. Direct international arrivals at St. John�s International Airport have increased 19 per cent for the first six months of 2000 and exiting bus traffic on the Marine Atlantic ferry system has increased 36 per cent during May and June 2000. Car rental revenue at the St. John�s International Airport has increased four per cent for the first five months of 2000," said Furey.

Furey was especially pleased to see that the addition of the new ferry Apollo on the St. Barbe run has resulted in a nine per cent increase in passenger traffic compared to the same time period of 1999, and an 18 per cent increase in passenger vehicle traffic for the May to mid July 2000 time period. Red Bay National Historic Site is reporting an increase of one per cent in visitors for June 2000 compared to the same period in 1999. Tourism operators in the Labrador Straits are reporting encouraging increases in bookings and related tourism activities.

Tourism visitation in western Newfoundland is clearly showing the impact of heightened awareness generated through the Vikings! 1000 Years celebrations. L�Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site is reporting an increase of 24 per cent for May and June 2000 while Port aux Choix National Historic Site is reporting a 36 per cent increase for June 2000. Gros Morne National Park is reporting an increase of 13 per cent in camper nights for June 2000, compared to the same period in 1999. Up to mid July 2000 Pistolet Bay Provincial Park is showing an increase of 55 camping units compared to the same period in 1999.

Elsewhere in the province, Cape St. Mary�s is reporting a slight increase, 200 additional visitors for May-mid July 2000, compared to May- mid July 1999. The Ryan Premises National Historic Site on the Bonavista Peninsula has an approximate 20 per cent increase for the month of June 2000, while Cape Spear National Historic Park is reporting an increase of nine per cent in visits to the lighthouse in May-June 2000 over 1999 levels for the same period.

As might have been expected, airline traffic has been impacted by the ongoing restructuring and uncertainty in this sector. Airport charter passenger movements showed a decrease of one per cent for the first six months of 2000 while regularly scheduled passenger movements have decreased three per cent for the same reporting period. This picture should improve as the peak season numbers are received, although uncertainty due to the threat of a strike by Air Canada pilots has already been seen to have done damage to the tourism industry country-wide. The minister stressed that, " a speedy resolution of the threat of a strike by Air Canada pilots during the busy summer travel season is absolutely essential for Newfoundland and Labrador to achieve its tourism visitation goals."

Consistent with other provinces and Canada as a whole, hotel occupancy in St. John�s, as measured by Pannell Kerr Forster, has also decreased slightly - an estimated 4.5 per cent for the first five months of 2000. By comparison, Atlantic Canada as a whole declined 3.5 per cent. Prince Edward Island declined 9.4 per cent, Ontario declined 2.3 per cent, British Columbia registered a decline of 3.2 per cent, while Canada as a whole declined 2.2 per cent.

"The tourism industry is booming in the province and I am really pleased with the overall picture to-date for 2000," added Furey. "This year we have 20 cruise ships scheduled to visit the province, and it is very exciting that this industry is developing. As well, since 1997 the meeting and convention industry has been building in the national and international marketplace and this year we are maintaining this growth, while next year is forecasted to be an even better year in this sector as we have been actively promoting the Marconi anniversary, which has been a fantastic draw in the corporate telecommunications market."

"Most of our indicators are showing very encouraging growth, on track with our goals of increasing tourism visitation in the range of seven to none per cent for the year 2000. I am especially pleased to see the performance in Western Newfoundland and the Labrador Straits. With such stellar attractions as Red Bay, with its new interpretation centre, the opening of Norstead at L�Anse aux Meadows, and the completion of the Trans Labrador Highway from Red Bay to Cartwright by 2002, this is a very exciting growth area. The Vikings! 1000 Years Celebrations are getting into full swing. The additional capacity on the Gulf ferry service, as well as the introduction of the new fast ferry, Max Mols, will ensure continued solid performance for the province as a whole as the season unfolds. A speedy resolution, however, of the threat of a strike by Air Canada pilots during the busy summer travel season is absolutely essential if Newfoundland and Labrador is to achieve its 2000 tourism visitation goals."

Media contact: Elizabeth Matthews, Director of Communications, (709) 729-0928.

2000 07 20               4:40 p.m.


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