Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
November 28, 2006

Government Helping Grow Tourism Industry in Western Newfoundland

Businesses and community groups are working to develop new tourism products and extend the tourism season in western Newfoundland. The Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, today announced that government has provided funding to a number of businesses and non-profit organizations from Deer Lake to the tip of the Northern Peninsula.

"Tourism is a strategic growth sector of the Newfoundland and Labrador economy and western Newfoundland has a growing number of tourism products. In the winter months these include a fine network of groomed trails for snowmobilers and first-rate destinations for skiers. In the summer months there is a growing number of cultural attractions, particularly for those looking for an historical experience," said Minister Taylor. "Tourism is a significant economic generator and I congratulate people in the industry who are working to extend the tourism season, develop new attractions, and generate increased local employment opportunities."

The Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, added his congratulations to the organizations and businesses working to extend the tourism season. "These efforts support increased tourism activity for the region and complement our priority to establish Newfoundland and Labrador as a multi-season tourism destination," said Minister Hedderson. "Government�s continued investment in the tourism sector demonstrates our determination to position this province as a destination of choice in a competitive global marketplace."

The St. Anthony Basin Resource Centre (SABRI) has received $13,000 from the province�s Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund to help fund a $72,000 tourism master plan. SABRI, a not-for-profit community-based organization made up of 16 communities, is developing a three-year plan to develop local infrastructure to maximize the tourism potential of the tip of the Northern Peninsula.

The Raleigh Historical Corporation has received $20,927 from the province�s Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund as part of a $116,263 project to complete interpretive and directional signage for several restored historical properties in Raleigh. The corporation has reconstructed fishing rooms, bunkhouses, and a boat shed to provide learning vacation packages in which visitors mimic 19^th century fishermen by living in bunkhouses, sailing in trap skiffs, and learning to set traps.

The Recreation Centre Association of Ship Cove received $9,145 from the province�s Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund as part of a $36,580 project for renovations to the centre that will permanently house an exhibition of photos of the French Shore taken by French photographer Paul Emile Miot between 1857 and 1859.

The St. Barbe Development Association has received $73,696 from the province�s Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund as part of a $308,239 project to upgrade facilities and equipment at the Mount St. Margaret Cross Country Ski Club at Plum Point. The funding will be used to further develop the trail system, parking lot and kitchens, turning the club into a multi-seasonal facility and allowing it to bid on national competitive events.

The Driftwood Inn in Deer Lake has received $6,000 from the province�s Business and Market Development Program to assist in branding, signage, logo and web site design. The inn is strategically placed in Deer Lake, a snowmobile hub where a number of groomed trails converge. Visitors have the choice of snowmobiling east to the Grand Falls area, north to the Northern Peninsula, and southwest to the Port aux Basques region. The project will help the inn extend its tourism season.

The Regional Sectoral Diversification Fund is a $5 million fund of the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development and a component of the province�s Comprehensive Regional Diversification Strategy. The fund provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

The Business and Market Development Program is designed to provide new entrepreneurs and expanding small businesses with funding to help them acquire the necessary expertise to pursue new business ideas and new markets for their products or services. The program is intended to support new growth opportunities in the economy, such as value-added manufacturing activities and export-oriented opportunities.

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