Tourism, Culture and Recreation
March 27, 2008

Vote Online for Gros Morne National Park to Become One of New Seven Wonders of Nature

Gros Morne National Park has been nominated in an online competition that could result in the site being named one of the new seven wonders of nature.

The competition is being organized by the non-profit New7Wonders Foundation, based in Zurich, Switzerland. The foundation was established in 2001 by the Swiss-born Canadian filmmaker, author, and adventurer Bernard Weber to contribute to the protection of the world�s human-built and natural heritage, and to foster respect for the cultural diversity on the planet.

The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, noted the nomination brings welcome international attention to Gros Morne, a United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) World Heritage Site, and encouraged all Newfoundlanders and Labradorians � at home and abroad � to visit www.new7wonders.com/nature/en/vote_on_nominees and vote.

"Gros Morne National Park is one of this province�s most prized natural treasures," Minister Jackman said. "This nomination provides us with an opportunity to share the beauty of the park with the rest of the world, while also promoting the province as a tourist destination."

The New7Wonders of Nature campaign will declare winners in 2010 and follows the New7Wonders of the World campaign, the winners of which were announced in July 2007. They are: The Great Wall of China, China; Petra, Jordan; Chich�n Itz�, Mexico; the Statue of Christ Redeemer, Brazil; the Colosseum, Italy; Machu Picchu, Peru; and, the Taj Mahal, India. More than 100 million votes were cast worldwide.

Mr. Weber said that the New7Wonders of the World campaign was a resounding success and the New7Wonders of Nature campaign is off to a great start.

"New7Wonders of Nature received 200 nominations by some half a million people within the first few months of the campaign," Mr. Weber said. "We are finding this campaign to be excitingly different from the first one. So many breathtakingly beautiful, natural places are still quite unknown to many. From waterfalls to fjords, rainforests to mountain peaks, freshwater lakes to salt flats, we are discovering together the incredible beauty and variety of our planet."

Voting in ongoing until December 31, 2008, at which time a panel of experts, under the leadership of Professor Federico Mayor, former Director-General of UNESCO, will create a list of 21 candidates from the top voted nominees. A subsequent online vote will then determine the New7Wonders of Nature.

Gros Morne National Park reported 159,100 visitors between June and October 2007 which was an increase of 1.5 per cent over the same time period in 2006. The park was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 1987.

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Media contact:

Heather May
Director of Communications
Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation
709-729-0928, 697-5061
heathermay@gov.nl.ca

2008 03 27                                                    11:00 a.m.


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