Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 287 -The ongoing development of Humber Valley Resort and Golf Course will attract new marketsto the area, including international markets. Improving air access into Deer Lake fromHalifax and central Canada is a plus. The area benefits from year round corporate and winterrecreation activity as well as some conference/meetings activity, sports tourism and anincreasing number of cruise ship visits. It is also an important overnight stop for group toursentering/leaving through Port aux Basques.However, the area lacks better quality, character accommodations and accommodationcapacity is currently insufficient for conferences of significant size. Evening activities andcultural programming are lacking and there is an opportunity for more things to see and do forvisitors who stay in this area. Development of the fall season in this area has also beenidentified as a key opportunity, given the strength of the fall colour throughout the HumberValley.There is a opportunity to establish this area as a full four season destination. We suggestpreparation of a Humber Valley Destination Tourism Strategy that explores opportunities toimprove the synergies, programming, and packaging so as to make this area a four seasondestination.Suggested Tourism Development Ideas Worthy of Further Consideration° In the context of four season destination development as discussed above, there areopportunities for further development include skiing, snowmobiling, kayaking, hiking,rafting on river, ATV touring, boating, Fall colour, etc. Suggestions include a FallFestival of Colours as well as more summer activities including sightseeing tours, dinnertheatre and entertainment on a regular basiso Explore operation of a summer/fall chair lift service at Marble Mountain, other summeractivitieso Sir Richard Squires Park has a significant water falls and potential for more development,upgrading, interpretationStephenville and Port au Port PeninsulaStephenville is the service centre for this part of Western Newfoundland and home to theStephenville Theatre Festival. It is also known for its aviation heritage and has recently beensuccessful in getting some direct air access from central Canada via one of the discountcarriers. The Port au Port Peninsula is known as the French Shore due to its French heritage.This area remains largely undeveloped as tourist destination although there are a number ofunique character accommodation properties starting to be established in this area. The coastalareas around St. George’s are known for its birdwatching and fishing opportunities. The areaalso has excellent whale watching with whales visible from the coast.Suggested Tourism Development Ideas Worthy of Further Considerationo Expansion of Stephenville Theatre Festival programming into the Port au Port Peninsulao French/Acadian interpretive centre with themed restaurantTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study