The Provincial Government, in partnership with Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL), today released a report on vehicle rental services in Newfoundland and Labrador and their relationship to the growing tourism industry.

The report, entitled A Driving Need, includes an examination of issues around access to rental vehicles, particularly during late July and early August, which was identified as a concern in Uncommon Potential: A Vision for Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism (2009), a shared Provincial Government and tourism industry strategy to guide the future development of tourism.

"The vehicle rental report found that the issue is a complicated one, but not insurmountable," said the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation. "The fact that vehicle rental operators were consulted and recognized as vital partners in our efforts to further develop our tourism industry was a step forward in itself. We have opened the lines of communication, and we have learned more about the issues confronting our vehicle rental operators, our tourism operators, and most importantly, our visitors."

The report was released during Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador's annual Tourism Awareness Week luncheon, held at the Sheraton Hotel in St. John's.

Minister French added that all stakeholders will now work towards the establishment of a database, a central source of information, which will gather and deliver daily reports on the numbers and locations of available rental vehicles in key locations throughout the province. In addition, a working group will be established, and will meet this fall to develop a plan to guide future action. Furthermore, all tourism operators will be encouraged to advise their clients to book rental vehicles well in advance as part of their trip-planning activities.

"By encouraging visitors to book ahead, vehicle rental operators will be better positioned to respond to anticipated demand," said Minister French. "This is crucial to ensuring visitors will not be disappointed when they arrive, and that they will enjoy the experience they expect, and deserve, when visiting our province. With the release of A Driving Need, we now have a better understanding of the situation as it currently exists, and can move forward with longer-term plans, working in partnership, to address the issue."

A Driving Need can be viewed at: www.tcr.gov.nl.ca/tcr/publications/2010/Final%20Report%20A%20Driving%20Need.pdf

- 30 -

Media contacts: