Over the past 12 months as part of The Way Forward, the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation has partnered with tourism stakeholders to offer tourism opportunities sessions. These meetings helped connect prospective and existing tourism businesses with growth opportunities throughout the province. The department and partners will continue to offer mentoring and training opportunities sessions in 2019.

Provided in partnership with regional Destination Management Organizations, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, and the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation hosted 24 tourism opportunities/experience development sessions. In total, 910 tourism operators, potential entrepreneurs, municipal representatives and other stakeholders were provided mentoring and training about experience development, tourism market-readiness, marketing opportunities and visitor statistics. Detailed information on participants and locations is provided in the backgrounder below.

Tourism opportunities sessions build on the actions of The Way Forward’s Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan to implement initiatives aimed at creating new tourism experiences and business opportunities. The tourism industry generates over $1.1 billion in visitor spending each year, and is responsible for over 20,000 jobs, representing 2,600 businesses in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Supporting tourism delivers on commitments in The Way Forward to strengthen the province’s economic foundation. The Way Forward outlines all actions the Provincial Government is taking to achieve a strong, diversified province with a high standard of living, and can be viewed at thewayforward.gov.nl.ca.

Quotes
“These tourism opportunities sessions are a great way to build on The Way Forward’s Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan, and to provide current and prospective tourism operators with mentoring, training and development. Tourism has grown to be a pillar in our economy, and by using this blueprint, we are working with stakeholders to create exciting experiences and opportunities to grow the tourism industry.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

“I have attended several of the tourism opportunities sessions and found them tremendously valuable for my business. The enhanced networking opportunities have allowed me to promote my experience and also gain greater awareness of what others are offering in my region. We are all now cross promoting each other, which has resulted in new business for everyone and we’re encouraging visitors to stay longer in the region. Each session has produced positive outcomes for my business and I would encourage all operators to attend.”
Sean Sullivan
Sullivan’s Songhouse, Calvert

“These sessions were extremely valuable for me as a new tourism business operator. It was eye opening to listen to other operators and hear about their experiences and practices; it instilled confidence in me that what I was doing was worthwhile. The networking opportunities also enabled me to promote my business directly to the industry and it has been very beneficial in building awareness of the experiences I offer.”
Crystal Anstey
Experience Twillingate

– 30 –

Learn more

2017-20 Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan

The Way Forward

Follow us on Twitter: @GovNL and @TCII_GovNL

Media contacts
Eric Humber
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4819, 725-9655
erichumber@gov.nl.ca

Sean Sullivan
Sullivan’s Songhouse
709-693-4300
sean.sullivan@nfld.net

Crystal Anstey
Experience Twillingate
709-884-6199
info@experiencetwillingatenl.com

BACKGROUNDER

Tourism Opportunities Sessions held since January 2018

Northeast Avalon

• April 25 – St. John’s – 59 participants

Eastern

• January 18 – Bonavista – 50 participants
• February 3 – Carbonear – 50 participants
• March 22 – Placentia – 48 participants
• May 2 – Ferryland – 101 participants
• May 23 – Grand Bank – 75 participants
• November 29 – Cupids – 70 participants

Central

• September 25 – Twillingate – 21 participants
• September 26 – Fogo Island – 20 participants
• October 2 – Springdale – 18 participants
• October 3 – La Scie – 22 participants
• October 23 – Conne River – 27 participants
• October 24 – New Wes Valley – 31 participants
• November 27 – Grand Falls-Windsor – 25 participants
• November 28 – Gander – 27 participants

Western

• April 18 – St. Anthony – 29 participants
• April 19 – Port au Choix – 30 participants
• May 24 – Norris Point – 32 participants
• June 13 – Corner Brook – 37 participants
• June 14 – Deer Lake – 30 participants
• October 15 –Stephenville – 38 participants
• October 16 – Isle au Mort – 35 participants

Labrador

• January 22 – Port Hope Simpson – 25 participants
• January 23 – L’anse au Clair – 10 participants