Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 176 -Once prices have been increased, there is a need for upgrading of services to meet thedemands of the recreational vehicle market. (No data has been available on the size of thismarket segment although reports are that it has been increasing. Hopefully the ongoingVisitor Exit Survey research program will provide some insights into this market segment andthe characteristics of their visits to the province.)Also, efforts to deal with unlicensed campgrounds and with cleaning up gravel pits tominimize opportunities for uncontrolled gravel pit camping should continue and bestrengthened. When the Camping Select program becomes mandatory, it will be importantthat this be enforced.Generally speaking, we recommend the following with respect to supporting and assistingcampgrounds:o No support for new campground facilities or for the expansion of existing facilities (otherthan in special circumstances where there is clear evidence of a total lack of supply or anopportunity for a unique niche market that is not being fulfilled.)o Support for upgrading of camping facilities in designated destination areas, at facilitiesmeeting the other established criteria for campgrounds described below, to meet theevolving demands of the recreational vehicle market (particularly for greater levels ofelectrical service, larger sites and pull-through sites);o Selected support to assist campgrounds in designated destination areas, at facilitiesmeeting other established criteria for campground described below, to upgrade to meet theminimum standards for Camping Select. This support should not be for improvements tobasic state of repair or maintenance issues, but for specific facilities (e.g. comfortstations), services and amenities, and features that could significantly improve revenues,such as camping cabins for example. (These are “hard tents”, essentially a few bunksbuilt into a cabin with electricity and minimum services. They have been developed inother areas and appear to be popular with the tenting market)Municipalities and not-for-profit groups seeking funds that are going to be used to provideservices and amenities for campgrounds (this includes campground facilities as well as otherservices and amenities that are being developed to be used by guests of municipal and not-forprofitcampgrounds) should only be supported if there are clearly no suitable campgrounds inthe area to service the market demand and no plans for such, and/or there is an unwillingnesson the part of private operators to meet the demand that exists. They should also be requiredto charge market rates.One issue deserving of special consideration is that of providing facilities to service therecreational vehicle caravan market as we understand that there are a growing number comingto the province. Several communities and local tour operators, particularly in the central partof the province, have actively worked to develop this market, apparently with some success.We are recommending that special consideration be given to supporting the expansion ofcampground facilities to service this market in selected instances. Such consideration shouldTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study