Yesterday I had the honour of being in Cupids for the launch of Tourism Awareness Week in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Tourism Awareness Week is an opportunity to acknowledge tourism operators in this province who are working hard to further build this important industry — an industry which contributes about $850 million annually to the provincial economy.

It was certainly appropriate that the launch of Tourism Awareness Week took place in Cupids, which this year celebrates the 400^th anniversary of its establishment as the first English colony in Canada.

There have already been several events throughout the region to mark this milestone, and we expect to see an influx of visitors this summer who will take the opportunity to tour the Cupids archaeological site, take in live theatrical productions, and visit the newly-constructed Cupids Legacy Centre.

The Provincial Government has invested $5.3 million in support of the anniversary celebrations, including upgrades to municipal infrastructure, beautification initiatives and construction of the Legacy Centre. This fabulous facility, which will open to the public next week, will showcase the history of the region and chronicle the establishment of the English presence in the New World. It will serve as an anchor tourism attraction which will serve Cupids and surrounding areas for many years to come.

This year is shaping up to be an excellent year for tourism throughout the province and that is due in large part to the growing professionalism within our tourism industry and the operators who are providing visitors with the unique experiences they come here to enjoy.

In acknowledging Tourism Awareness Week, I ask my colleagues in this Honourable House to join me in congratulating Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, the province's tourism industry association, and all the individual tourism operators who are ensuring that Newfoundland and Labrador remains a travel destination of choice.