Government of Canada Invests Over $1.2 Million in Tourism Initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador

Funding announced for projects during Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador’s Annual Conference and Trade Show

St. John’s, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) – March 03, 2016

During the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador Annual Conference and Trade Show taking place in St. John’s this week, the Government of Canada announced more than $1.2 million to support tourism initiatives being undertaken by the following organizations: the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation, the Gros Morne Cooperating Association, Gros Morne Summer Music Inc. and the Nunatsiavut Government.  The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), made the announcement during a keynote address at the event today.

The tourism industry makes a significant contribution to the Newfoundland and Labrador economy and is the fourth largest industry contributor to provincial Gross Domestic Product.  Since tourism is a growing industry in the province, there are numerous opportunities to expand on existing products and services to help ensure that the sector continues to offer top quality visitor experiences.

These Government of Canada investments provide support for tourism initiatives that will help further develop Newfoundland and Labrador’s tourism and cultural industries, connect visitors with authentic experiences, enhance skills within the industry, provide economic spin-offs and further develop a broad range of tourism offerings through all seasons.

Quotes:

“The Government of Canada is pleased to support the tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. As a proven generator of economic activity and employment, this industry is particularly important to rural regions of Canada. We recognize the value of enhancing tourism and community initiatives through public investments like these as the best way to spur economic growth, job creation and broad-based prosperity.”

–      Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism

“Our Government’s support for the Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation will enable them to refurbish the trail system to allow safe passage for trail users from the Exploits region into the eastern and western portion of the trail network. The infrastructure improvements will also significantly enhance the opportunities for adventure tour operators to expand their experiential tour offerings year round, which will increase tourism spending in the region.”

–      Scott Simms, Member of Parliament, Coast of Bays—Central—Notre Dame 

“The Gros Morne region represents the strategic growth sector of cultural tourism in Western Newfoundland. The investments in the Gros Morne Cooperating Association and Gros Morne Summer Music Inc. support the ongoing development of this region into a leading tourism and cultural destination that offers authentic experiences based on our people, our culture and our spectacular natural environment.”

–      Gudie Hutchings, Member of Parliament, Long Range Mountains

“This investment supports the Nunatsiavut Government’s Torngat Mountains Base Camp and Research Station, which is a Northern adventure tourism destination that offers guests a unique experience that immerses them in the special places and stories of Labrador Inuit life, land and traditions. This investment supports both tourism and business development in Labrador and will help generate economic opportunities and benefits for the communities involved.”

–      Yvonne Jones, Member of Parliament, Labrador

Related Products:

• ACOA’s Business Development Program (non-commercial)
• ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund

Associated Links:

• Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
• Gros Morne Cooperating Association
• Gros Morne Summer Music
• Visit Gros Morne
• Nunatsiavut Government
• Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation

Contacts:

Julie Afonso
Acting Director, Public Affairs
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Julie.Afonso@canada.ca

 

Backgrounder – Project Descriptions

Government of Canada Invests Over $1.2 Million in Tourism Initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador

The Government of Canada is committed to collaborating with partners in the tourism industry to strengthen the Canadian brand and enhance visitor experiences.  To this end, the Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), is providing more than $1.2 million to support four tourism initiatives across Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation
ACOA Assistance: $500,000 (Innovative Communities Fund)
The Newfoundland and Labrador Snowmobile Federation (NLSF), as the provincial governing body of the 15 active volunteer snowmobile clubs on the island portion of the province, is dedicated to providing strong leadership and support to safe, organized family-oriented snowmobiling through a network of well–marked and maintained groomed trails. Through this project, the NLSF is improving the quality and safety of trail infrastructure throughout the Exploits region’s network.  The refurbished shared-use trail system will be used year-round for a variety of activities including snowmobiling, all-terrain vehicles, hiking, bird watching, and mountain biking.

Gros Morne Cooperating Association
ACOA Assistance: $172,250 (Business Development Program, non-repayable)

The Gros Morne Cooperating Association (GMCA) is a not-for-profit organization that works closely with Parks Canada to support and supplement the protection, preservation, interpretation and development of the natural and heritage resources of Gros Morne National Park. Through this project, the GMCA is participating in Tourism Atlantic’s Strategic Tourism Expansion Program (STEP).  Through STEP, communities within the Gros Morne region will collaborate, develop, and execute a sustainable tourism plan for the region, working hand-in-hand with existing tourism development initiatives.

Gros Morne Summer Music Inc.
ACOA Assistance: $300,000 (Business Development Program, non-repayable)

Gros Morne Summer Music Inc. is the producer of an innovative, multi-genre, multi-disciplinary summer-long arts festival that is currently entering its 13th year of activities. Through this project, Gros Morne Summer Music Inc. is undertaking strategic marketing and product development.  Initiatives include a new digital magazine, Old Crow, to profile and promote cultural tourism in the Gros Morne region, a historical pageant and an interpretive mobile app. The three-year project will help to strengthen and further develop the strategic sector of cultural tourism in Western Newfoundland.

Nunatsiavut Government
ACOA Assistance: $252,523 (Business Development Program, non-repayable)

Through this project, the Nunatsiavut Government is implementing a two-year strategic marketing plan with an emphasis on web presence and web site development, social media, trade shows, and advertising for the Torngat Mountains Base Camp and Research Station.  The Base Camp is a unique Northern adventure tourism destination and gateway to Torngat Mountains National Park.  It was designated as the Canadian Signature Experience by the Canadian Tourism Commission and is considered a Northern Iconic Experience which is promoted by Parks Canada at national and international events.  This project will also enable the Nunatsiavut Government to engage the services of an adventure tourism expert with international experience to enhance product offerings and attract more visitors.

Source: http://news.gc.ca