NEWS RELEASE
Office of the Official Opposition
For Immediate Release
Tourism marketing cut another blow to rural areas charges MHA Dean
Marshall Dean, MHA for the Straits and White Bay North, says a decision by the Western Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) to no longer employ regional staff will seriously compromise the growth of the tourism industry on the Northern Peninsula and is seen as another blow to this rural region.
MHA Dean raised this issue today in the House of Assembly during Question Period. He also challenged Government on its decision to rationalize the tourism industry into four destination marketing organizations, down from 28 regional tourism associations.
“There is a concern that the DMOs in Central, Labrador and Western are so immense in size that the goals of regional tourism growth, marketing and product development will not be achieved,” says Dean. “When these DMOs were formed, one of their mandates was to increase economic development in the four regions; and they now appear to be failing to live up to this important mandate”.
Dean points out that since the tourism department recently changed the directive of DMOs towards exclusive marketing of tourism, a regional tourism position on the Northern Peninsula was eliminated. “The loss of a local liaison, working with over 600 businesses, communities and organizations that depend on tourism for revenue, is very disturbing for all concerned.
“Regional staffs are needed on the ground to work with the tourism community on the Northern Peninsula. Local organizations such as the Viking Trail Association cannot afford to be without paid personnel to promote this special region. The Viking Trail features high tourist sites such as Gros Morne and L’Anse au Meadows, which attract over 200,000 visitors between them, and they need specialized strategies and promotions to sustain and enhance their potential.
“Government continues to insist that rural and regional development is amongst their highest priority, but the reality is when decisions such as cutting regional support staff for tourism marketing are made, it again highlights that rural Newfoundland and Labrador is low on the government’s marketing list.”- 30 -
Media Contact:
Kim Ploughman | Communications
Office of the Official Opposition
Tel: (709) 729-6151 or (709) 687-0477