Development Association Uncovering Potential Tourism Attractions

The St. Barbe Development Association, with support from the Provincial Government, is conducting a review of local archaeological and cultural heritage resources and assessing their potential as tourism and business generators on the Northern Peninsula.

"In all regions of the province, local groups and communities are making tourism activity a key part of their economic development agendas," said the Honourable Shawn Skinner, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "As a government, we recognize the importance of leveraging the natural, cultural, and historical assets of communities to create tourism-related business opportunities. Our investment gives the St. Barbe Development Association the tools it needs to research the assets in their own backyard and learn how to develop them to strengthen the local economy."

The $15,538 investment enables the St. Barbe Development Association to secure a consultant to take inventory of the area's archaeological assets and provide recommendations on how to transform them into viable tourism products. The assessment will focus on the Big Droke archaeological site in Bird Cove.

"We believe that the Big Droke Pre Historic Cultures Site is an anchor attraction that adds tremendous value to the tourism industry along the Great Northern Peninsula," said Gloria Toope, Executive Director, St. Barbe Development Association. "The goal of this initiative is to enhance a product that promotes culture, heritage and history, improving the overall experience for tourists visiting the area and extending their stay. Enhancing tourism infrastructure such as Big Droke will create a positive climate for additional business development in the region."

In the late 1990s and early 2000, the archaeological project in Bird Cove comprised nearly 30 registered sites representing a number of prehistoric cultures. Work at Big Droke and Caines sites, in particular, uncovered valuable, prehistoric woodworking and hunting tools used by the Maritime Archaic Indians.

"From Gros Morne National Park to the L'Anse aux Meadows National Historic Site, traveling the vast Northern Peninsula is in itself an unforgettable experience," said Wallace Young, MHA, St. Barbe. "This initiative is about building on the area's natural features to create a unique outdoor and cultural experience for road travellers. Such tourism development projects are important steps in making small coastline communities must-see destinations and creating new business and employment options for local residents."

Since its inception in 1974, the St. Barbe Development Association has implemented numerous social and economic development projects, with emphasis on community infrastructure. The organization represents more than 20 communities between River of Ponds and St. Barbe on the Northern Peninsula.

This initiative was funded through the Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund, which through Budget 2010: The Right Investments — For Our Children and Our Future was increased to an $11 million program. Administered by the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development, the program provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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2010 06 17                                                    11:05 a.m.