 |
||||||||
 |
 |
|||||||
|
||||||||
|
||||||||
|
The following statement was issued today by Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was also read in the House of Assembly: I rise today to provide the House of Assembly with the preliminary results of the 1998 Newfoundland and Labrador tourism season. After years of development and strong participation by Newfoundland and Labrador entrepreneurs, our province's tourism industry has become an essential part of the economic future of Newfoundland and Labrador. In Newfoundland and Labrador today, tourism is responsible for an estimated 15,000 direct jobs. Expenditures in all parts of the tourism sector, by residents and non-residents combined, are more than $500 million dollars. Tourism is a major part of our province's economy. I am pleased to say that having assessed preliminary data for the 1998 tourism season, visitation to the province continues to grow even above the record numbers recorded in the 1997 Cabot 500 year. This is a very significant achievement. In 1997, the province's Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebrations set an unprecedented benchmark for tourism activity in our province. There was a 22 per cent increase in non-resident visitors who spent an estimated $204 million dollars in the province, an additional $40.8 million dollars over the 1996 level. Many people expected that visitation would have declined after a year of special events, conventions and come home years. However, the strategy which underlies our marketing program is to create awareness and excitement about Newfoundland and Labrador which carries into future years. It is apparent this strategy is working. Travel to Newfoundland and Labrador, overall, is up in 1998 over 1997. Airport activity in 1998 is holding its own compared to 1997. Charter air traffic in particular is up by 17 percent this year over last, and up by an astounding 52 per cent compared to 1996. Regarding ferry traffic to end of September, non resident Marine Atlantic ferry traffic is two per cent higher than the record 1997 level, and a full 16 per cent higher than 1996. The improvements in tourism visitation means that we are on course with our markets, and we are providing the right products and attractions. Soiree '99 will be our next major event, and we invite all Canadians to join us in celebrating a series of events and festivals. In the coming weeks I will be announcing the key details of Soiree '99. Major investments continue to be made in the tourism sector to ensure that our attractions and services deliver a quality tourism experience. The civic centres in St. John's and Corner Brook will deliver many new, high-yield conventions to the province. New interpretation centres, such as the Grenfell Centre in St. Anthony, make our culture and history more accessible. New snowmobile trails will add to our growing array of winter tourism activities, which now include nordic and alpine skiing, heli-skiing and cat-skiing. One of the jewels of the crown for winter tourism is Gros Morne National Park. In fact, two days ago, on November 28, the Globe and Mail said that "Gros Morne has the most exotic and varied ski terrain in eastern North America." Now there's a reason to travel to this province. In closing, allow me to congratulate the many tourism operators and regional associations who display the entrepreneurial zeal necessary to make this industry grow. 1998 11 30 2:10 p.m.
|
