Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 198 -Changes Since Completion of the Labrador Tourism DestinationPlanSeveral factors affecting Labrador tourism development have occurred since the Plan wascompleted in 2001, including:" Trans Labrador HighwayExtension of Route 510 has been completed from Red Bay to Cartwright. In addition, theroute for the Cartwright – Happy Valley-Goose Bay portion (Phase III of the TLH) hasbeen finalised, with the southerly route around the Eagle River watershed being chosen.Premier Williams recently announced the decision and stated that construction will beginthis year, with tenders for construction anticipated in June, 2004. The route will probablybe completed over the next five years." Ferry Service to Happy Valley-Goose BayIn 2003, the MV Sir Robert Bond Ferry started using Cartwright as its link to HappyValley-Goose Bay (rather than Lewisporte); as a result, considerable tourism investmentwas made in Cartwright and elsewhere along the southeast Labrador coast, particularly inaccommodations. Other potential tourism products are being contemplated. A study intowhether Cartwright should remain as the ferry terminus (vs reverting it to Lewisportewith a stop in Cartwright) was recently submitted to the Minister of Works, Services andTransportation, with an announcement expected shortly. The Study Team’s Terms ofReference unfortunately did not require consideration of tourism development. Thedecision will obviously have an impact on travel patterns on the Labrador Coastal Driveand the west coast of Newfoundland and resulting benefits to tourism operators." Torngat Mountains National ParkParks Canada and the Labrador Inuit Association are in the process of establishingTorngat Mountains National Park as a wilderness park in northern Labrador. The landhas been described as one of the most dramatic landscapes in eastern North America,with one of the world’s most rugged coastlines. It covers 27,000 sq km of land that rearsout of the sea in 90 metre high cliffs and inland peaks rising to over 1600 metres. It hassignificant wildlife and marine life populations. The area is accessible from the sea, viaan airstrip at Saglek near the southern boundary or from the northern Québec communityof Kuujjuak (jet service from Montreal to Iqualiut).First contemplated in the 1970s, the new park is now very close to reality; an Agreementin Principle was recently initialled between Parks Canada and the Labrador InuitAssociation. The Québec Government is establishing a provincial park along theadjacent boundary to the west.The number of users of the Park will need to be projected as part of the ParkManagement Plan soon to be prepared. The numbers will obviously be low compared tosouthern parks. The level of current usage of the Torngat Mountains area has not beenTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study