The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced the operating dates for Provincial Visitor Information Centres (VICs).

The 2008 opening and closing dates for VICs are as follows:

North Sydney: May 5 � October 31

Port aux Basques: May 5 � November 8

Deer Lake (TCH): May 5 � October 31

Notre Dame Junction: May 5 � October 24

Clarenville: May 5 � October 24

Whitbourne: May 5 � October 24

Argentia: May 5 � October 17

The Deer Lake Airport and St. John�s Airport VICs, operated in partnership with local airport authorities and municipal partners, are open year-round.

"Since 2006, the Provincial Government has invested about $370,000 to extend the traditional operating season of Visitor Information Centres," said the Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "This is consistent with our efforts to encourage further extension of the tourism season."

Over the past five years, non-resident tourism has increased, on average, by about three per cent annually � or 15 per cent overall.

Minister Jackman noted that Budget 2008 includes an additional $2.43 million for tourism-related initiatives, including an additional $1 million for tourism marketing, $150,000 for season extension projects, and $100,000 to support professional development opportunities within the tourism industry.

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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