Tourism, Culture and Recreation
June 1, 2007

Minister Launches Tourism Awareness Week

Newfoundland and Labrador offers a rich assortment of natural and cultural attractions, festivals, events and activities to discover and appreciate. Today, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, and Bruce Sparkes, president of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL), officially launched Tourism Awareness Week, which runs June 4 to 10.

"From sea kayaking to golf getaways, to exploring our natural wonders and rich cultural heritage, Newfoundland and Labrador has so much to offer all travelers from near and far," said Minister Hedderson. "Our tourism industry generates some $820 million in annual revenue and is made up of more than 3,000 small and medium-sized enterprises that employ 47,000 people directly and indirectly. Tourism Awareness Week provides us with an opportunity to celebrate this industry and its many successes."

Tourism Awareness Week was kicked off during a luncheon at the Albatross Motel put off in partnership with HNL, the Gander Chamber of Commerce, the Town of Gander and the Kittiwake Coast Tourism Association.

"Our tourism industry continues to enjoy growth and is a major contributor to the economy," said Mr. Sparkes. "Tourism Awareness Week provides us with the opportunity to honour those in the industry who work very hard to make it a success and also to encourage residents to be tourists themselves by traveling throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and explore all that we have to offer."

The Tourism Awareness Week kick-off follows the successful launch of the No Place Like Home in-province campaign. Now in its second year, the campaign is designed to encourage residents of Newfoundland and Labrador to explore their own province, which is fast gaining recognition as a premier travel destination. Using short, simple visuals and sounds in a playful and friendly manner, the 2007 No Place Like Home campaign reminds Newfoundlanders and Labradorians of the wonderful things to do and places to visit in their home province.

The No Place Like Home campaign includes television, print and radio advertising that direct people to the website www.noplacelikehome.travel, which features getaway packages and value coupons for travel and activities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Packages include everything from kayaking, hiking and picnic excursions to hotel and golf getaways. This year�s campaign also features a brochure packaged as a six-month calendar with vacation ideas, which will be mailed to all Newfoundland and Labrador homes.

"Government continues to aggressively market Newfoundland and Labrador as a world-class tourist destination," said Minister Hedderson. "In recognizing the great potential that tourism offers to rural communities and the province as a whole, in Budget 2007 we are investing an additional $1 million for tourism marketing initiatives. Since being elected to office, this government has nearly doubled the annual tourism marketing budget from $6 million to $11 million."

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2007 06 01                                                 12:05 p.m.

 


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