Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 214 -In cases of a perceived shortage of a tourism product or service, there also needs to be a soundbusiness case presented that any such gaps are significant gaps, such that growth in tourismvisitation and/or spending is being constrained as a direct consequence. Also, the gap shouldexist for more than just July and August.Similarly, in cases where the available products/services in an area are of generally low quality,adding a new quality facility may be exactly what is needed to rejuvenate the area’scompetitiveness.Of course, in situations where there is little or no competitive impact, the competitive issue neednot arise.In Section 9, Exhibit 8, we presented a simple evaluation model to assess the relative merits ofan accommodation project against the disadvantages of negative competitive impacts. Thatcould be modified to use for other kinds of projects in tourism as well.Tools for Planning and Project EvaluationThis report, in a strategic context, has presented descriptions of different kinds of tourismdevelopment projects worthy of being encouraged and supported, along with suggested criteriafor their evaluation. This will provide the basis of a useful planning and policy framework fortourism development officials to follow in pursuing initiatives, and it will be helpful as well toindividuals and groups in their own planning and project development efforts.To take this further, it would be most useful to actually develop a series of planning andassessment tools for use both by the industry and government agencies. We have in mind aseries of workbooks for project planning that could be made available through the web as well asin printed versions. Different ones would be developed for key types of projects. They could beused in support of workshops and training as well.Some suggestions for priority product types to be addressed in different workbooks (this justincludes projects that would rate highly as priorities in the strategy – see section 6):Accommodations:o Destination resort/cottage resorto Wilderness lodgeo Unique character accommodationo Country inn/heritage inn/B&B inno B&Bo Motelo Campground/RV parkCommunity Cultural/Heritage/Nature Attraction Projects:o Museum/interpretive facilityo Cultural festival/event/sports eventTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study