Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 254 -Section 15Eastern RegionOverviewNewfoundland and Labrador’s eastern travel region encompasses the Bonavista Peninsula andDiscovery Trail area as well as the Burin Peninsula (Heritage Run). The main service centrein the area is Clarenville, which is a popular overnight stop for both group and independenttravellers. From a tourism perspective, the region has benefitted from the development of theTrinity area as a destination and from the profile given the Bonavista area as a result of theCabot 500 Celebrations. The Trinity Bight area is well-established as an overnight, multidaystay destination for both the vacation market and the getaway market from St. John’s. Itoffers a variety of accommodations, several of high quality, and is also well known for theRising Tide Theatre programs and the heritage and coastal character of the communities.Recent enhancements to the tourism product mix in the area include the Random Passage site,a rejuvenated Ryan Premises National Historic Site and restoration of the Cape BonavistaLighthouse which is also a viewing site for puffins and icebergs.The Burin Peninsula is a much less travelled route, with much of its tourism activity drawnfrom visitors en route to/from St. Pierre-Miquelon. However, the region is developing morelocally-based tourism, building on its outports, architecture and natural appeals as well as theSummer Theatre Festival in Grand Bank and other culturally oriented festivals and events.Accommodation Supply and DemandSupplyo This region has just over 800 units of accommodation in total, provided in some 75properties. Over 60% of the unites are found in hotel/motel properties, with aconcentration in Clarenville. Theregion has only 11% of all of theunits in the province with a higherthan average proportion of theseunits in the cottage category.80%70% 63%o The Eastern Region is home to 12properties that have been60%50%identified as falling into the35%40%31%B&B/Inn category, many of these30%are in the Trinity area.19%20% 17%o Only 45 units in the region are in9%10%the 4 – 4.5 Star Category, and, aswith the B&B/Inn group, these are0%concentrated in the Trinity areaSupply of Accommodations in Eastern Region: % of Total16%10%Hotel/Motel B&B Cottages B&B/InnProp'tsUnitsTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study