The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and
Recreation, said today that the department is looking very closely at
the Federal Government�s recent announcement of $100 million to support
major tourism events across the country over the next two years, with
the hope that some Newfoundland and Labrador-based events will be
eligible.
"The criteria for eligibility under the recently-announced Marquee
Tourism Events Program are clearly geared toward large-scale events,"
Minister Jackman said. "However, we would expect that any federal
initiative designed to increase tourism during this period of global
economic uncertainty would provide an opportunity for Newfoundland and
Labrador to benefit."
The program defines a marquee event as an annually recurring
world-class event that is well established and has a long-standing
tradition of programming and management excellence. A news release
issued last week by the Honourable Diane Ablonczy, federal Minister of
State (Small Business and Tourism), said the program is designed to help
create and protect jobs across the country, stimulate the visitor
economy, and help Canada to become an even more vigorous player in the
competitive global tourism industry. Further information on the program
and the criteria for eligibility can be viewed at:
www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-tour.nsf/eng/h_qq00160.html
Minister Jackman said the goals of the
Marquee Tourism Events
Program align perfectly with the Provincial Government�s
efforts to promote Newfoundland and Labrador as an international tourism
destination of choice.
"This province continues to invest heavily in tourism marketing,
season extension initiatives, and special events taking place throughout
Newfoundland and Labrador," Minister Jackman said. "Any complementary
support from the Federal Government to support these efforts and
increase tourism revenues would be most welcome."
The Provincial Government, through Budget 2009, continues to support
the development of the province�s tourism industry, including an
additional $1 million for tourism marketing, bringing the total annual
budget to $13 million.
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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
2009 04 13
10:00 a.m.
