Tourism, Culture and Recreation Minister, the Honourable Tom Hedderson, will attend Trails to the Vikings, the official launch of the Western Regional Destination Marketing Organization, at The Fisherman�s Landing Inn, Rocky Harbour, June 8, from 1:30 p.m. to 3:30 p.m.

Minister Hedderson will provide an update on the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, which generates $820 million in annual revenue and is made up of more than 3,000 small and medium-sized enterprises that employ 47,000 people directly and indirectly.

The launch is part a slate of featured activities during provincial Tourism Awareness Week, which runs June 4 to 10 and follows the successful kick-off of the No Place Like Home campaign. The campaign includes television, print and radio advertising that direct people to the website www.noplacelikehome.travel, which features getaway packages and value coupons for activities throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. Packages include everything from kayaking, hiking and picnic excursions to hotel and golf getaways. This year�s campaign also features a brochure packaged as a six-month calendar with vacation ideas mailed to all Newfoundland and Labrador homes.

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Media contact:
John Tompkins
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 728-7762
jtompkins@gov.nl.ca

2007 06 07                                                   11:55 a.m.