NLIS 2
September 21, 2006
(Innovation, Trade and Rural Development)
 

Corner Brook EDC to promote area as a four-season tourism destination

The Corner Brook Economic Development Corporation (EDC) will build on the well-known tourism icons in the area to develop a promotional plan for the city and its environs as a four-season destination for the meeting and convention tourist. The project is made possible through a contribution of $29,454 from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), $14,727 from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development (INTRD), and an additional $14,727 � which consists of approximately $1,300 from each of the 11 members of the EDC�s tourism committee.

�Canada�s new government supports the development of the tourism sector in the province,� said Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Minister responsible for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of ACOA. �This project is an example of how we can take advantage of a number of star attractions in the Corner Brook area to develop a four-season destination for meetings and conventions.�

�I congratulate Corner Brook Economic Development Corporation on this initiative to help local tourism operators market the Corner Brook area as a tourism destination, particularly for meetings and conventions,� said Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. �I am confident that this partnership between the various levels of government and the private sector will result in economic benefits for the region.�

�The convention visitor is a tourist that is sometimes overlooked when developing tourism literature,� said Phil Hicks, chair of the Corner Brook EDC, �and with so many attractions in and around the Corner Brook area, it makes good sense to capitalize on these and develop a promotional and marketing campaign around these icons, such as Marble Mountain, our close proximity to Gros Morne National Park, the Humber Valley resort and Strawberry Hill, as well as the beauty of the Bay of Islands.�

The project, spearheaded by the Corner Brook EDC and its 11 member organizations, will develop promotional materials for various trade shows that representatives of the Corner Brook EDC will attend. As well the EDC will develop advertising and other promotions for insertion in various tourism magazines and planners, and develop lure pieces in English, French and Japanese.

The tourism committee of the Corner Brook EDC identified the meetings and conventions sector as an area of growth for the region and has decided to focus much of their promotional activities on that area for 2007. Previous years has seen a growth in this sector with more than 4,100 convention delegates visiting the area and generated an estimated $2.2 million in terms of economic benefit to the region. These numbers are expected to increase in 2006 when final numbers are tallied, with as many as 7,000 convention attendees coming to the area.

ACOA�s funding is from the Innovative Communities Fund, which focuses on investments that lead to long-term employment and economic capacity building in rural communities.

Media contact:

Julie Afonso
ACOA Newfoundland
(709) 772-2935

Nora Mercer
Tourism Development Officer
Corner Brook Economic Development Corporation
(709) 637-1584

Lynn Evans
Communications
Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development
(709) 729-7066, 690-6290

2006 09 21                                  1:55 p.m.