Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 245 -for interpretation as tourism attractions, such as Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve and CapeRace. The proximity of this area to St. John’s and the lack of any significant accommodationsin this area means that it is largely a day-trip at present. It also suffers from limitedavailability of food and beverage opportunities. Increasing awareness and popularity of theEast Coast Trail is helping to generate more interest in the area but the limitedaccommodations base will continue to be an issue for this market segment as well.The Colony of Avalon in Ferryland receives about 18,000 visitors with 65% plus from out ofprovince. They spend ½ day at Ferryland but again, overnight stays are constrained in part bythe limited accommodation base.Suggested Tourism Development Ideas Worthy of Further Consideration° Complete the East Coast Trail and an increased effort around market development,marketing and packaging of this product; support efforts of the Trail Connection program.° Interpretation at Witless Bay Ecological Reserve, Mistaken Point Ecological Reserve,Cape Race – possibly as outreach programs, guided tours, interpretive signage etc.connected to the natural history interpretation centre proposed for the Avalon region.° More food and beverage services such as tea shops, cafes° Enhanced programming and development at Colony of Avalon . There needs to beattention paid to a model for sustainable funding for this site.° Complete the interpretive/directional signage program that has been planned for the areaincluding signs for the East Coast Trail, Witless Bay, ensuring that they are consistentwith provincial themed route signage° Over the longer term (when/if new accommodations are established – see later discussion)consider an expanded dinner theatre program at Ferryland° Chance Cove provincial park – develop camping facilities to accommodate users of theEast Coast Trail that goes right through the park.Cape ShoreThe Cape Shore Drive in this south-west part of the Avalon Peninsula offers outstandingcoastal vistas and scenery. An entry point for the province from June through September, theregion is also home to Cape St. Mary’s Ecological Reserve and Interpretation Centre, one ofthe province’s more popular attractions. The natural heritage of the area is complemented bythe history of the Placentia area, the French capital of Newfoundland in the 17 th and 18 thcenturies, including the Castle Hill National Historic Site. Visitor services are concentrated inthe Argentia/Placentia area with some limited facilities in St. Bride’s servicing visitors toCape St. Mary’s. The Colinet/Mount Carmel/Salmonier area also provides accommodationsto visitors to the Cape Shore Drive area. The region’s visitor activity is heavily dependent onthe Marine Atlantic Ferry service into Argentia.Cape St Mary’s had 21,000 visitors in 2003, up 4,000 from the year before and there has beena steady increase since the new interpretive centre opened. A 2002 Visitor survey indicatedthat 32% of visitors were from Ontario, 18% from Newfoundland and Labrador, 5% fromAlberta, 5% from BC, 20% from the US; 7% from Overseas and 5% from the Maritimes. 17%THE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study