The Western Newfoundland and Labrador Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) Inc. will promote tourism throughout the western Newfoundland and southern Labrador region thanks to an investment of almost $125,000 by Canada�s New Government, and an investment of $50,000 by the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador.

"Canada�s New Government is working with its partners to get things done for the people of the Western Newfoundland and Southern Labrador region," said the Honourable Loyola Hearn, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans and Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador, on behalf of the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA). "Our investment of almost $125,000 will help this region be successful in its strategic approach to tourism marketing campaigns, in strengthening the region�s economy and in creating new jobs."

"Marketing is an essential element in the building of a tourism industry," said the Honourable Trevor Taylor, Minister of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development. "In western Newfoundland we have tourism products that can compete in beauty and history with any place in the world. This funding will allow the Western Destination Marketing Organization to go to the market and place this region on the global stage."

Western NL DMO Inc. will implement a tourism marketing campaign to increase awareness of the western region of Newfoundland and Labrador in the tourism marketplace and to promote this newly established organization.

"This project will allow businesses on the west coast and southern Labrador to participate and partner with the western DMO thereby adding to the strength and sustainability of this growing organization," said Maria Matthews, chairperson of this new destination marketing organization. "We believe this marketing campaign will stimulate the tourism industry in this part of the province and contribute to the local economy."

Canada�s New Government is providing $123,300 for this project through ACOA�s Innovative Communities Fund. The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is providing $25,000 from the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation and $25,000 from the Department of Innovation, Trade and Rural Development through the department�s Regional/Sectoral Diversification Fund, which provides non-repayable contributions to economic development agencies for initiatives that address regional and sectoral development and diversification.

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2007 07 04                                             3:05 p.m.