Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
August 28, 2017
Governments Invest in Tourism and Fishing Industries on Fogo Island
Continued economic success depends on a commitment to innovate, strengthen and diversify. The Town of Fogo Island is further developing its offerings to visitors through upgrades to a network of popular hiking trails, while the Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited is engaging expertise to diversify the local fishery.
Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), announced nearly $324,000 for the two projects. The Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, provincial Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation (TCII), announced a contribution of $100,000 for the project with the Town of Fogo Island.
The Town of Fogo Island is receiving more than $275,000 from ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund (ICF) and $100,000 from TCII’s Regional Development Fund to upgrade a number of existing trails on the island. These investments will benefit local tourism operators with further enhancements to the quality and variety of the region’s product offerings, including world-class attractions and amenities.
In addition, an investment of close to $49,000 from ACOA’s Business Development Program (BDP) will enable the Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited (FICSL), a fish purchasing, processing and marketing co-operative on Fogo Island, to engage expertise to investigate and develop international markets for sea cucumber. Investments in the development of export markets are critical to FICSL’s plans for long-term sustainability for co-op members and employees.
Quotes
“Our government is pleased to invest in the upgrading of several trails to help enhance local tourism opportunities for the Town of Fogo Island. Through our Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan, we will continue to collaborate with our partners to increase the number of high quality, Newfoundland and Labrador tourism experiences to attract more visitors, encourage them to stay longer and experience more; all with the goal of increasing visitor spending to $1.6 billion annually by 2020.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
“The Government of Canada is committed to investing in initiatives like these, which help diversify growing industries such as tourism and the fishery. By investing in the projects Canada needs and the people who can build them, we help strengthen and grow the middle class, and make our communities an even better place to call home.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Fogo Island is a unique and captivating place, with dedicated residents and entrepreneurs who are working hard to celebrate its past while forging ahead with initiatives to sustain its future. Through these investments, the Government of Canada is working with community and business partners to capitalize on opportunities in tourism and the fishery to create new employment and economic growth.”
Scott Simms
MP for Coast of Bays-Central-Notre Dame
“These investments in Fogo Island are an excellent example of what can be achieved when our federal and provincial governments work together. I am looking forward to the upgraded network of trails, and the business development that will take place at the Fogo Island Co-operative Society Limited. This funding will strengthen Fogo Island’s booming tourism industry while diversifying the local economy.”
Derrick Bragg
MHA for Fogo Island-Cape Freels
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Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca
Paul McGrath
Director, Public Affairs
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Jillian Hood
Government Members Office
709-729-5306
jillianhood@gov.nl.ca
2017 08 28 9:00 a.m.