Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 148 -o The absence of Provincial VICs at St. John’s airport and downtowno The services in North Sydney and on the ferrieso The need for quality information services in gateway locationsThere needs to be a proper review of the province’s visitor information services system, both thepublic and private sector components. The scope of this review should include:o Provincial tourist chalets – locations, facilities, services, season and hours of operation,budgets, staff qualifications, training, use of volunteerso The 30 or so local/regional visitor information centres (VICs) – same issues, plus howthey are fundedo Modern tools, including the Internet, kiosks, etc.o Trip planning aids – trip planning collateral and website, guidebooks, etc.With the rapid evolution of the Internet as a medium for providing visitor information servicesand trip planning aids, the DTCR should augment its capabilities in this area. Considerationshould be given to entering into a joint venture with a company that can develop and maintain astate of the art website with trip planning tools. That could potentially be accomplished at littleor no public sector cost if the company were able to charge tourism product suppliers forpromotional information that accompanies their listing. DTCR should, however, have a measureof content control to ensure consistent standards with the Province’s marketing.However, pending a more detailed review, some key needs are already evident. Also, newtechnologies are making it possible to provide tourist information in new ways. The kinds ofthings that it is already evident should pursued include:o Upgrading visitor information centres, both the Provincial tourist chalets as well ascommunity visitor information facilities. The Provincial facilities are long overdue forrefurbishment and updating.o Adding a new Provincial tourist information facility at the St. John’s airport. Asdiscussed earlier, the Avalon Convention and Visitors Bureau currently operates the VICat the airport. However, given the importance of this airport as the leading gateway tothe province, there is an acute need for a proper Provincial VIC there. We recommendthat DTCR attempt to negotiate a joint venture arrangement with ACVB in this regard,failing which the Province should establish its own facility there.o Adding a Provincial tourist information facility in downtown St. John’s. The City of St.John’s has submitted a proposal to the Province to fund a provincial desk in their newVIC under development on Water Street across from the Convention Centre. Thisappears to be a worthwhile and cost-effective initiative as long as the Provincial presenceis prominent and the level of service is adequate to the need.o The option of establishing full service VICs on the Port Aux Basques and Argentiaferries should be investigatedTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study