Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
November 14, 2007

College Announces New Institute for Cultural Tourism

The College of the North Atlantic (CNA) will establish Atlantic Canada�s first centre for cultural tourism training and professional development thanks to a combined investment of $1,107,800 from the federal and provincial governments. The centre will be called the Bonavista Institute for Cultural Tourism and will be located on the CNA's Bonavista Campus.

Representatives from the College of the North Atlantic, the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the provincial Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development will make the announcement tonight at the institute's official launch event in Trinity Bay.

"The cultural tourism industry is experiencing tremendous growth around the world," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister of ACOA. "Our government�s investment of nearly $775,000, through ACOA, in the Bonavista Institute of Cultural Tourism will help our region�s cultural industries and tourism operators take full advantage of the many opportunities offered by this sector. Given the college�s training expertise and the cultural tourism products currently available on the Bonavista Peninsula, we feel this new institute is ideally suited to provide world-class cultural tourism training."

With this funding, the College of the North Atlantic will develop and deliver an executive-level training program for members of the cultural tourism industry throughout Atlantic Canada. Funds will also be used to renovate the existing culinary demonstration facility and purchase new kitchen equipment as well as undertake various marketing activities.

"This new institute will help tourism operators and cultural providers locally, provincially, and throughout Canada, to deliver a world-class cultural experience to visitors," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "This region, through the College of the North Atlantic, provides an ideal setting to provide leadership and training to the growing cultural tourism industry. With Newfoundland and Labrador�s long history and rich cultural heritage the possibilities for a thriving cultural tourism industry in the province are endless."

The Bonavista Institute for Cultural Tourism will offer three new programs in its first two years: Creative Places, Building Bridges through Creative Packaging and The Fusion of Cuisine and the Arts. To facilitate distance learning, some of the courses will be offered online using web-based learning. All courses will highlight best practices in Atlantic Canada.

"As we all know, tourism is an important industry in Atlantic Canada and cultural tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors within that industry, as travelers seek out new and interesting learning experiences that are unique to the places they are visiting," said CNA President Jean Madill. "Spearheaded by the Bonavista campus, the Bonavista Institute for Cultural Tourism will draw on the wealth of local cultural resources to develop and deliver executive-level training based on the needs of this developing industry."

ACOA is providing a total of $774,700 for the establishment of the Institute. Under its Innovative Communities Fund (ICF), ACOA will provide $474,700. The ICF works in partnership with Atlantic communities and stakeholders to build on the strengths of communities and provides the tools needed to identify opportunities available for their sustainable growth. The remaining $300,000 will be provided through the Tourism Atlantic branch of ACOA, which plays a leadership role in creating a strong and sustainable tourism industry through a pan-Atlantic approach to research, marketing and product development. The provincial Department of Innovation, Trade, and Rural Development will invest $333,100 in the project.

The College of the North Atlantic has over 12,000 full and part-time students attending its 17 provincial campuses. From its headquarters in Stephenville, the college manages over 100 full-time programs, as well as 300 part-time courses and programs. The Bonavista Campus has been providing training since 1972 and offers programs in business, trades, academic, natural resources and tourism.

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Media contacts:

Stephen Lee
Marketing and Communications Manager
College of the North Atlantic
709-643-7721
Scott Barfoot
Director of Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador
709-729-4570, 690-6290
Gay Decker
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
709-772-5116
 

2007 11 14                                                    5:30 p.m.

 


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