Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 124-emerging cluster is the tip of the northern peninsula (Routes 436 and 437), which includesL’Anse aux Meadows, Dark Tickle Economuseum, initiatives at Burnt Cape EcologicalReserve and the adjacent community of Raleigh, Norstead and French heritage initiatives.o A series of facilitated cultural tourism roundtables should be conducted in key destinationareas. One of their most important functions will be to facilitate communication andpartnership between tourism operators, artists and leaders in the culture and heritage sectors.A key deliverable will be the identification of cultural tourism products (existing and new)that will appeal to the visitors, that will play to regional strengths and help diversify theprovincial offer (as opposed to competing for market share with other regions or similarproducts).o Crafts – higher quality products need to be made more available across the province. Crafttours are an opportunity, including demonstrations in grass work, rug hooking, pottery,preparation of preserves and the making of seal skin clothing.o The Coast of Bays presents an opportunity for development. The Arts and ExplorationCentre under development is unique and a good fit with interesting Newfoundland heritage –both aboriginal and European based.Other Product Suggestions:o A package tour around professional theatre, involving for example, Stephenville, TNL,Rising Tide and St. John’s companies (one such package was offered in 2003 by VisionAtlantic, “Be Entertained Newfoundland Style”).o Build on Memorial University’s exceptional program in folkloreo Soirees and Times should be revitalizedo Develop an endowment fund that can support cultural programs and eventso Wartime and transatlantic aviation have potential as heritage themes in CentralNewfoundland. An example is the Flying Boats Festival being developed in theBotwood/Norris Arm area in collaboration with Foynes, Ireland.Sequel to Special Celebrations - Cultural ProgrammingWe need to pursue the recommendations on cultural and heritage tourism in the 2002‘Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism Marketing Strategy Review’ prepared for DTCR.The text to follow is reproduced from pages 96 to 98 of that report.“The consultants were asked to address the question of >special celebrations= and offerrecommendations on what, if anything, should be a sequel to these major events.Value of Major Events, and their Negative SideUnquestionably, the major events of the past five years have done a lot to build awareness aboutthe province and have certainly generated visitation that might not have come otherwise. Thathas been of real benefit to the province during the period of the event itself.THE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study