Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 199 -determined. It has been an attraction for individual wilderness hikers for many years. Afew tour companies have recently been bringing small groups into the area, including aQuébec outfitter (for polar bear watching) and Nature Trek Canada has been bringinggroups in for wilderness hikes for about twenty years. Several other Québec companieshave either taken groups in or are advertising the Torngats on their web site.Parks Canada is establishing a Park Office and Visitor Centre in Nain and a business andemployment benefits study is planned for the near future. The economic impact isexpected to be modest; however it would be a significant beginning to tourism activity inNunatsiavut (the name, meaning “Our Beautiful Land” given by Labrador Inuit to theirhomeland, including the Torngat Mountains)." Mealy Mountains National ParkThe proposed Mealy Mountains National Park is proceeding through the communityconsultation and feasibility assessment phase, with the process likely to be brought to aconclusion over the next year. On the northern boundary of the proposed park is LakeMelville and the communities of Rigolet (Inuit), Sheshatshui (Innu) and Happy Valley-Goose Bay, North West River and Mud Lake. The Eagle River watershed defines thesouthern boundary of the study area, with the communities of Paradise River andCartwright nearby. The route recently chosen for the Cartwright – Happy Valley-GooseBay portion of the Trans Labrador Highway skirts around rather than traverses the studyarea (the alternative route would have done the latter).If established, some of the park would therefore be skirted by a highway and it wouldgenerally be much more accessible than the Torngat Mountains National Park. It wouldbe positioned to play a significant role in building Central and Southern Labrador as adestination." Nunatsiavut GovernmentNunatsiavut is close to becoming a reality, with a ratification vote to be held in a fewmonths. The Labrador Inuit Association is looking towards realising business andemployment benefits from Torngat National Park, is preparing to develop a TourismStrategy for Nunatsiavut and plans to be a tourism player. The new government willhave tourism development resources to bring to the table." Other Aboriginal Tourism PartnersThe other two aboriginal groups, the Innu and Métis, are also making moves to becomeplayers in the tourism industry:The Innu Nation have become partners with Provincial Airlines in Innu Mikkum airlines,serving the majority of Labrador communities; they are also developing a wildernesslodge in the Labrador interior. Labrador Métis Nation have recently completed aTourism Strategy, are heavily involved in environmental conservation issues and areseriously looking at establishing a cultural centre on the south coast of Labrador. TheyTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study