Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 59 -the peak season. This, as well as the improved service, are cited as reasons forincreased traffic and higher levels of satisfaction during that year. As well, there werereportedly more day trippers and short excursions into the southwest part of theprovince.In 2001, Marine Atlantic went with a four-vessel service on this route rather thancontinuing the fast ferry service, citing high costs of repair and down time with theHSC Max Mols. Since that time, there has been continuing pressures to re-introduce afast ferry connection to Newfoundland and Labrador. However, in discussing thematter with the CEO of Marine Atlantic, it is evident that weather and sea conditionsmake it impractical to rely on a high speed catamaran that will inevitably suffer morefrequent delays and cancellations than traditional ferries. However, Marine Atlanticacknowledges that it is feasible to use faster ferries based on hull design and power,but using traditional hull forms, to allow operation in a wider range of weatherconditions.o Other concerns include the capacity to accommodate the increasing number ofrecreational vehicles, particularly when travelling in groups or caravans, andmotorcoaches and changes in schedules with short notice (a particular concern for touroperators who are planning itineraries18 months in advance)o On the Argentia route, scheduling is also an issue, particularly the significant cutbacks in September and discontinuance of the service at the end of the month – weunderstand, however, that deteriorating weather conditions in the mid to late fall maypreclude much of an extension of the season for this route. However, could not moresailing be offered during September and into early October, as well as in June?Another issue on this route is capacity, both of the sleeping/cabin accommodationsand the overall service. There has also been discussion of a night ferry option.Overall, the tourism industry believes that Marine Atlantic do not see themselves as being inthe tourism business, but as merely transportation providers. This comment is contested byMarine Atlantic who contend that they definitely see themselves as being a partner in thetourism business. The tourism industry believes that the ‘transportation’ attitude (togetherwith union and labour issues) carries through to the customer service concerns, the relativepriorities given commercial traffic, and the attitude to the services provided on board theferries. The provision of visitor information services on the ferries is also an issue to beaddressed, along with opportunities to provide travellers with more of an orientation as towhat the province has to offer (perhaps through film and video).Air AccessAir access to Newfoundland and Labrador from domestic Canadian markets has improvedsignificantly in the past two years, both in terms of lift capacity and prices, a direct result ofthe emerging low cost carriers now operating across Canada, and Air Canada’s ongoingrestructuring efforts. As an example, in the fall of 2003, total domestic weekly capacity intoTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study