Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
December 29, 2016

Building a Stronger, Smarter Economy

Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development Sectors Continue to be Major Contributors to Province's Economy

In 2016, the Provincial Government continued to deliver on its commitment to build a stronger tomorrow for Newfoundland and Labrador through investments and supports in business, tourism, culture and rural development.

"Our government believes the answer to building a stronger, knowledge-based economy is through diversification, job creation and growth. We recognize that growing a culture of entrepreneurship and innovation presents economic potential for Newfoundland and Labrador. In 2016 we continued our efforts to develop a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy, with productive, prosperous and culturally-rich communities and regions in order to make our province a business and tourism destination of choice."
- The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development

Highlights for the department in 2016 include:

• Contributing to significant increases in the number of visitors to the province through continuing the successful, award-winning tourism marketing campaign. Up to the end of November:
  • More than 2.2 million people travelled by air, representing an almost four per cent increase over the same period last year;
  • Over 130,000 travellers visited our information centres, an increase of almost nine per cent;
  • There were 2.2 million visits to the official tourism website, an increase of 9.5 per cent;
  • Visits to provincial museums were up almost 34 per cent; and
  • Provincial historic site visits grew by 16 per cent.
• Helping ensure that just over 99 per cent of the province's population has access to high speed Internet.
• Collaborating on the Atlantic Growth Strategy to further increase trade and investment in the region between the four Atlantic Provinces and the Federal Government.
• Working to grow the film and television industry which saw $46 million in production activity in 2016 on two television series and four feature films, providing more than 600 full-time employment equivalencies.
• Launching the engagement process for the Business Innovation Agenda. Province-wide stakeholder engagement sessions held in collaboration with the Research and Development Corporation, have been held across the province and additional consultations will be completed in January 2017. The new Business Innovation Agenda is anticipated to be released in spring 2017.

Along with the initiatives listed above, in 2017 the department also plans to develop a Social Enterprise Action Plan to increase the number of social enterprises throughout the province. The department will also enhance services and opportunities for existing social enterprises and a Regional Trade Network in cooperation with the Federal Government and industry representatives to focus on further aligning the province's trade activities with industry.

Developing a Business Innovation Agenda, Social Enterprise Action Plan and Regional Trade Network are examples of the more than 50 initiatives included in The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador. The vision guides Provincial Government actions to achieve greater efficiency, strengthen the province's economic foundation, enhance services, and improve outcomes to promote a healthy and prosperous province. The Way Forward Vision can be found online at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf .

QUICK FACTS

• The Provincial Government continues to deliver on its commitment to build a stronger tomorrow for Newfoundland and Labrador through investments and supports in business, tourism, culture and rural development.
• The Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development remains focused on developing a vibrant, diverse and sustainable economy, with productive and prosperous and culturally-rich communities and regions making the province a business and tourism destination of choice.
• Under The Way Forward: A Vision for Sustainability and Growth in Newfoundland and Labrador, the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development will lead several initiatives including developing a Business Innovation Agenda and Social Enterprise Action Plan. The Way Forward Vision can be found online at www.gov.nl.ca/pdf/the_way_forward.pdf .

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Media contact:

Eric Humber Media Relations Manager Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4819, 725- 9655 erichumber@gov.nl.ca

2016 12 29                              10:55 a.m.