The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Bernard Davis, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation:

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honorable House to encourage all residents to vacation in our beautiful province this summer as we all continue to learn to live with COVID-19.

As restrictions have eased, the call to action is simple – to get out and explore the place we all love and call home.

In the very near future, we will be launching our new marketing campaign, one that is about our unparalleled pride of this place. Our heart swells when we talk about home, which is more than a house and family – it’s a place and a state of mind. And for us, it’s an entire province.

To discover more about the unique story of our home, I urge travellers to consider experiencing our many hiking and walking trails, parks, and museums. Discover one of our 11 Provincial Historic Sites opening in July, or learn more about those local registered attractions and experiences at one of our six Visitor Information Centres opening later this month.

Mr. Speaker, by vacationing in our province, we are supporting hard hit, registered tourism businesses such as attractions, craft shops, restaurants and licensed accommodators. These businesses and their employees are our friends, neighbours, and families. They connect us to this place, our roots, and to our culture. And this summer, they need our help. To learn more about those businesses that are registered and licenced in our province, please visit our website newfoundlandlabrador.com.

I encourage everyone to start making their vacation at home plans, because like so many in this province, there’s no place I would rather be than here at home, in Newfoundland and Labrador.