Visitor Information Centres Open May 4

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced the operating dates for Provincial Visitor Information Centres (VICs).

�The Provincial Government invests approximately $1 million annually on the operations and maintenance of Provincial Visitor Information Centres,� said Minister Jackman. �These centres continue to provide valuable services to the travelling public, serving both residents and out-of-province visitors alike.�

The 2009 opening and closing dates for VICs are as follows:

North Sydney: May 4 � October 31
Port aux Basques: May 4 � October 31
Deer Lake (TCH): May 4 � October 31
Notre Dame: May 4 � October 24
Clarenville: May 4 � October 24
Whitbourne: May 4 � October 24
Argentia: May 4 � October 17

The Deer Lake Airport and St. John�s Airport VICs, operated in partnership with local airport authorities and municipal partners, are open year-round.

Budget 2009 commits approximately $18.5 million on tourism-related initiatives, an increase of $1.3 million over 2008. This includes an additional $1 million for tourism marketing, bringing the total annual marketing budget to $13 million.

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Media contact:
Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2009 04 30                                  11:55 a.m.