May 5, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

The following statement was issued today by Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. It was also read in the House of Assembly:

I rise today to inform my colleagues that the Month of May has once again been designated Tourism Awareness Month in Newfoundland and Labrador. This is an annual information campaign managed by Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador - the provincial tourism industry association, which is also a strong and valued partner with my Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation.

Tourism Awareness Month celebrates the tourism industry of our province, and builds awareness of the benefits of tourism to our economy. This year's theme: "Summer Soiree - our province, our party" encourages Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to explore and enjoy our own beautiful province this year. It's a timely theme and goes hand-in-hand with the events and festivals of Soiree '99, as we invite everyone across the nation to "Celebrate Canada our way."

Government is committed to the development and support of our tourism industry, and to partner with the industry on a vast number of projects, including Tourism Awareness Month. Over the past decade, there have been great strides in both the quality and quantity of tourism operators and their products in Newfoundland and Labrador.

With the Cabot 500 celebrations in 1997, the Soiree '99 celebrations this year and the Viking 1000 anniversary next year, we have incredible opportunities to continue building our world-class industry. Tourism is now the fourth largest industry in the province, accounting for about five per cent of our Gross Domestic Product, and its worth in excess of a half-billion dollars in annual expenditures.

Everyone in Newfoundland and Labrador has a stake in the continued prosperity of our tourism industry, and one of the goals of Tourism Awareness Month is to inform the people of this province about the incredible vacation experiences we can offer - both for ourselves and our visitors.

Official Tourism Awareness Month launches and events have already begun in several areas of the province, and will continue throughout May. I would like to take this opportunity to invite all members to attend both the Avalon Kick-off for Tourism Awareness Month beginning today at 5 p.m. at the St. John's Waterfront at Pier 7 across from Bishop's Cove and to meet with Industry Partners in the lobby of Confederation Building from 11:30 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. tomorrow.

I ask my colleagues to join me in saluting the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and I encourage you all to keep spreading the word, both at home and away, about our tourism products and the importance of the long-term economic benefits to everyone in our province.

1999 05 05 2:15 p.m.