Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 263 -Demand° Overall occupancies inthe zone are very close toprovincial and regionalaverages; in 2000 and2001 they were slightlyabove the average; in2002 slightly below.Occupancy levels outsidethe June throughSeptember period are inthe 20% - 30% range,about 10 percentagepoints below provincialaverages.100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%Zone 15 Discovery Occupancy with Comparison to the Regionand Province; 200272% 70% 71%57% 56%° B&Bs in the zone areperforming significantlyZone Region Provinceabove the provincial average for both July/August and the June through September period– perhaps a reflection of the high proportion of B&B/Inn style properties; they also havebetter than average annual occupancies.63%39%July/Aug June-Sept Annual41%47%100%90%80%70%60%50%40%30%20%10%0%° Many of the properties interviewed in the area reported that they were full during the peakseason in 2003, with turnaways. This was particularly true for properties in Clarenville(where significant turnaways were reported), and for the better quality properties in theTrinity area. As well, the few properties in the Bonavista area were also reported to be fulland turning away business. Clarenville is the hub/service centre for this part of theprovince and clearly the accommodation properties in this area are benefitting from this,particularly with respect toZone 15: Discovery- Monthly Occupancy Rates 2002demand from the grouptour business. What is notclear, however, is whetherthe business is going to76%Clarenville in part due to67%the lack ofaccommodations in45%Bonavista – this may be the37%39% case with some of the FITbusiness but it is unlikely25% 27% 30% 32%30%27%21%18%that group tour businesswould shift to Bonavistadue to their preference forstaying in major serviceJAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUNE JULY AUG SEPT OCT NOV DEC Yearcentres.OccupancyTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study