Governments Announce Investments to Support Tourism in Twillingate

  • Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

August 23, 2019

Today, the Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation, announced funding of $20,000 to help Grow Twillingate host the 5th Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival from September 19-22, 2019. Scott Simms, Member of Parliament for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, announced $33,000 for the project.

Thanks to government support for projects like the one with Grow Twillingate, Canadians and visitors to Canada will be able to experience creative, inspiring, and entertaining interactive adventures beyond the traditional summer tourism season. The Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival is a four-day event which consists of workshops, a half-day conference, live entertainment, hiking and unique culinary offerings. Participants will create, share and celebrate digital arts while experiencing the beauty of Twillingate and the surrounding area.

The tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador generates over $1.1 billion in visitor spending each year, and is responsible for over 20,000 jobs, representing 2,600 businesses. As committed in The Way Forward, the Provincial Government is aiming to double resident and non-resident visitor spending to $1.6 billion by 2020. 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.

This announcement takes place in the wake of Minister Joly’s announcement of the new tourism strategy: Creating Middle Class Jobs: A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy . The Strategy, which was developed based on feedback from Canadians and the work of the Advisory Council on Jobs and the Visitor Economy , highlights the importance of Canada’s tourism sector as an economic driver for communities across the country.

Quotes
“Increasing the number of high quality tourism experiences, attracting more visitors, encouraging them to stay longer and to do more when they’re here, are all goals of The Way Forward’s Provincial Tourism Product Development Plan. Support for season extension initiatives, such as the Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival, drives visitation beyond the province’s peak tourism season, which enables tourism services and attractions to remain open longer and generate more economic activity for the region.”
Honourable Christopher Mitchelmore
Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation

“Innovation doesn’t only happen in big cities; it happens in all regions of Canada. That’s why our regional development agencies play an important role in helping businesses turn innovation into economic growth and good jobs for Canadians. Through the Canadian Experiences Fund, our government is investing in the development of our tourism sector and the economic potential of our vibrant communities.”
Honourable Navdeep Bains
Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development

“It is inspiring to see the commitment announced today as the Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival enters its fifth year. The festival is a showcase of modern tourism, combining the natural splendour and traditional wonder of Twillingate with the opportunity to immerse oneself in ground-breaking digital arts. The funding announced today will help solidify this festival as an annual international destination and I look forward to working with everyone involved to ensure this festival is a continued success for many years to come.”
Derek Bennett
MHA for Lewisporte–Twillingate.

“The many coves, trails and vistas around Twillingate have provided settings for countless images, stories and songs over the years. Famed for its icebergs in the spring, the town really has so much to offer visitors all year long. This Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival takes all the best of Twillingate – creativity, scenery, adventure, entertainment and great food – and uses it to inspire both professional and hobby digital artists.”
Scott Simms
MP for Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame

“Twillingate is one of Newfoundland and Labrador’s most visited rural destinations and the beauty of our island has always inspired creativity. The work that Grow Twillingate Inc. does to promote digital arts and tourism through the Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival, is very important to our economy and we could not do it without the valuable partnerships with ACOA and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. ”
Grant White
Mayor, Twillingate

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Learn more
Unscripted Twillingate Digital Arts Festival

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Media contacts
Tansy Mundon
Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation
709-729-4570, 693-1865
tansymundon@gov.nl.ca

Jeremy Ghio
Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie
jeremy.ghio@canada.ca

Paul McGrath
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca

Wilma Hartmann
Grow Twillingate
709-480-0176
wilma@anchorinntwillingate.com

2019 08 23 10:00 am