Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 204 -" Identify Business and Product OpportunitiesThese should be identified in response to the strengths and priorities of the community.Following are some examples:" Home VisitsOpportunities for tourists to visit with a family on their private property, have a cupof tea, hear stories, visit their work shed, craft studio or fishing stage, etc. This hasbeen successful for example, in the North West Territories and rural Appalachia." Character AccommodationsDepending on the local situation, this could take the form of home stays or inreconditioned trapper’s tilts or fishing stages. It would need to be well thought out interms of design, amenities, safety and quality of service. Training and support wouldneed to be developed for the owner/operator." Arts and CraftsQuality control needs to be overseen by the Newfoundland and Labrador CraftsCouncil and there should be community outlets for craft sales (currently there is noopportunity to purchase local crafts in some communities)." Community Heritage ToursMost communities could organize either self-guided or interpreter-led walking toursfeaturing, for example, time with a storyteller, a local entertainer, an artist, or visit toa craft outlet. This could be expanded into a multi-community tour, withcomplementary experiences in each community." Labrador CuisineLocal cuisine should feature either traditional dishes such as trapper’s caribou stew ornew dishes using local ingredients – berries, crab, shrimp, seal, etc." Heritage PreservationThe preservation and celebration of heritage at the community level is a vital part ofbuilding a tourism industry. This can be carried out through different initiatives, suchas the preservation of oral history through a Community Heritage Resource Inventoryor of traditional and life skills through a Traditional Life Skills Program in schools ormentoring with a Master Craftsman such as Elder Joe Goudie has done for canoemaking in Happy Valley-Goose Bay." Community InitiativesThere are a variety of projects that can be undertaken at the community level, such assignage, parks, the designation of heritage sites and buildings, walking trails, writingof community history and storyboards.THE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study