Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 114-Cultural HeritageThe other side of culture is cultural heritage, which is also an important tourism attraction. Thecultural heritage of Newfoundland and Labrador includes an extensive built heritage of fishingpremises, residences and community buildings in over 700 communities, in addition to 300headland and offshore island communities resettled since the 1950s and scores of summercommunities along the Labrador coast. The province also has one of the most significantfolksong collections in North America and extensive collections of folklore featuring, forexample, traditional dance, unique language, local customs and traditions developed overcenturies by relatively isolated communities and regions.This heritage treasury is being expressed across the province in many ways, in museums,interpretive programs, cultural events and the like. It is playing an important role in currenttourism activity and can become much more important to future cultural product development.Exhibit 7 presents a summary of what ‘culture’ means in terms of the ‘products’ of this sector.Tourism Products and Experiences that Fit the Cultural and Heritage Tourism ModelTo help define what is meant by cultural and heritage tourism products for Newfoundland andLabrador, the following is a list of examples compiled by the study team:o Learning vacationso Short, hands-on learning demonstrationso Artists-in-residence, as at Gros Morne National Park, Twillingate, Terra Nova, Cape St.Marys and Campbell House, Trinityo Art galleries and studioso Displays to showcase books by local authors and relate to locations/themes/sites that aretalked about in the books; e.g. March Hare event in Corner Brook and the Winterset inSummer festival in Eastporto Economuseums; e.g. in Shoal Cove West and St. Lunaire-Griqueto Products that link natural and cultural heritage; e.g. Mussel Bound in Fortune Harbourand Prime Berth in Twillingate (it is the fusion of culture and nature in products such asthese that can create our most memorable experiences)o Museums and historic siteso Archaeological sites, e.g. in Ferryland and the Porcupine Strand near Cartwrighto Built heritage, e.g. in St. John’s, Tilting and Harbour Graceo Performances – music, theatre, danceo Festivals and events such as:o Festival 500 and Sound Symposiumo Soirees & Community Timeso Mummeringo Re-enactments/moving theatreo Variety showso Pageantso StorytellingTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study