NLIS 5
September 25, 2002
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
 

Minister convenes consultation session on cruise ship industry

Julie Bettney, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, will host a consultation session with key front-line stakeholders in the province�s cruise ship industry on Thursday, September 26.

"This industry is growing and an important part of tourism in this province," said Minister Bettney. "I want to bring together board members of the Cruise Authority of Newfoundland and Labrador (CANAL) and other key industry stakeholders to see how best to structure this industry�s efforts in the future."

CANAL began operation as a result of an act in the House of Assembly on June 8, 1998. Its mandate was to co-ordinate the development and operations of a cruise ship industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, and, more particularly, to plan, promote, develop and monitor that industry. At that time, CANAL was given a mandate for a period of three years and funding was secured through the Johnson Family Foundation, Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and the provincial government. CANAL�s budget was for $1.2 million, half of which was provided by the Johnson Family Foundation, and the remaining being shared 80/20 by the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency and the province. In 2001, the federal and provincial governments gave CANAL $328,500 to carry it through to May of this year.

Since 1998, the number of ports approved to receive cruise ship visits rose from 8 to 25. The number of annual cruise ship visits to all ports went up from 34 to 84, and the number of visiting passengers went up from 17,765 to 29,908. The economic impact associated with cruise ships visits in 1998 was approximately $2.0 million. This included passenger and crew spending and ship-related expenses such as pilotage, moorage and port charges. Preliminary data for 2002 indicates an economic impact of $3.1 million.

"The results over the last four years prove that a single provincial entity focussed on developing the industry is working," said Minister Bettney. "Furthermore, I believe that the industry itself must take the lead in developing and building the cruise ship sector. This is the best approach to ensure this sector continues to grow and become an even larger contributor to the province�s overall tourism industry."

Thursday�s consultation aims to discuss the next steps for cruise sector partners in planning for the future. It also aims to achieve a consensus on the mandate and strategic direction of a new organization. The consultation will be structured with a facilitator and will include presentations and round table discussions in a workshop setting.

"We recognize the cruise ship sector is an important part of our tourism industry," said Minister Bettney. "We want to build on the continuing growth and advancement for many more years of success. I am looking forward to hearing about the ideas and thoughts stakeholders have on how we can move forward to develop an industry organization which will further the success of this province�s cruise ship industry."

Media contact: Vanessa Colman-Sadd, Communications, (709) 729-0857.

2002 09 25                                        4:20 p.m.


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