Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 74 -Qualmark program, taken from their website (www.qualmark.co.nz) is provided in theappendix.New Zealand also has some interesting tools to assist tourism business, including the TourismBusiness-Builder CD ROM – a self-paced interactive workbook learning tool with 8 modulesfrom idea development, planning, marketing, assessing, best practices, financial templates,etc. and He Kete Tapoi Maori – a tourism business resource kit for new and existing Maoritourism operatorsOther programs of interest include:o ‘Upskilling’ the work force – The Modern Apprenticeship scheme of employmentbasedtraining and professional recognition – delivered through TIANZ.o Initiatives to promote pricing and yield management strategies and premium pricingopportunitieso National symposium on local government and tourism, training on tourism forMayors, councillors and staff of municipal governmentso A Community tourism strategy planning guideIrelandIreland is often cited as an example of best practices in tourism due to the integration of itsculture and heritage in its tourism product. It also is a destination that undertook a concerted,and successful, effort to develop its tourism industry during the later 1980s and early 1990swith a major government commitment to the effort. E4.3 billion was spent by industry,government and the European Union on tourism development in the 1990’s.The Department of Arts, Sport and Tourism oversees three main divisions:o National Tourism Development Authority (Failte Ireland) – which promotessustainable tourism facilities and training, in-country marketing (‘home holiday’segment), and supports Regional Tourism Authorities and tourism developmentprogramso Tourism Development and Training Policy Division – including policy development,tourism product development, liaison with other agencieso Tourism – Marketing Policy and Promotion Division – input/liaison on various policyareas, research, EU liaison, other liaisonTourism Ireland Ltd., a corporation funded by government, implements international tourismmarketing programs for Ireland, both for North and South Ireland. There is also a NorthernIreland Tourist Board (the industry association) along with six regional tourism marketingorganizations known as Regional Tourism AuthoritiesTHE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study