Tourism

The tourism industry recorded another strong performance in 1998, following on the success of the Cabot 500 Celebrations in 1997. The table below shows that tourism indicators so far this year are significantly higher than in 1996. Two indicators actually showed gains over 1997 despite the fact that some slippage in tourism normally occurs after a major event like the Cabot 500 Celebrations.

Increased tourist awareness, the depreciated Canadian dollar, and favourable summer weather, were among the factors behind the tourism industry's strong performance. Performance might have been better had it not been hampered by the Air Canada strike in September and, threatened job action at Marine Atlantic in June.

Major investments continue to be made in the tourism sector to ensure that physical attractions and the services provided give tourists a quality experience. Modern facilities such as the recently opened Canada Games Centre in Corner Brook and the new Civic Centre currently under construction in St. John's will deliver many new, high-yield conventions to the Province in the future. These factors, combined with upcoming celebrations such as Soiree '99 this coming year and the Viking Millennium in 2000, all bode well for the industry's goal of building on recent gains.

West Coast of Province to Host 1999 Canada Winter Games

Winter tourism on the West Coast of the Province will receive a major boost in 1999 as Corner Brook and surrounding area host the Canada Winter Games from February 20 to March 6, 1999. More than 3,500 athletes, coaches and officials will participate in the Games as well as thousands of volunteers and spectators.

The newly opened Canada Games Centre in Corner Brook together with the Marble Mountain Ski Resort will operate as major venues for a number of the 21 sporting events to be featured. In addition, a number of other excellent venues will be showcased during the Games.

Aside from the obvious current economic benefits of the Games, there are legacies of the celebration which will provide many long-term benefits for Corner Brook and surrounding area. These include modern state-of-the-art facilities and infrastructure, experienced volunteers and coaches, greater commitment to sport, and invaluable exposure and publicity for the region's tourism product.

Cabot Celebrations - A Retrospective

In 1997, Newfoundland and Labrador celebrated the 500 Anniversary of John Cabot's historic voyage from Bristol, England to Newfoundland. Preliminary estimates indicate that the Province attracted 383,900 non-resident visitors in 1997. This record level of visitation represented an additional 69,000 visitors or an increase of 22% over 1996. In-province expenditures by these non-resident visitors exceeded $204 million dollars, an increase of 25% over 1996 levels. Total expenditures, by non-resident and resident combined, exceeded $500 million in 1997.

The Province experienced spectacular growth in such key markets as meetings, conventions and incentive travel. St. John's, for example, hosted 151 events (i.e., conventions, meetings, major sporting events), an increase of 92 events or 156% over 1996 levels, and more than double the previous eight year average of 67 events per year. The events in 1997 attracted over 35,300 participants, triple the number of participants in 1996. Accommodation data from Pannell Kerr Forster indicates that during 1997, provincial hotels recorded the highest occupancy rate in Atlantic Canada (65%). In addition when compared to 1996, the Province recorded the largest year-over-year change in Canada (+10.1 points).

These celebrations increased the awareness of the Province's tourism product and are providing a springboard for the upcoming celebrations of the 50th anniversary of Confederation in 1999 (Soiree '99) and the Viking Millennium in 2000.

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