Newfoundland and Labrador Product Development Strategy

- 75 -Key Issues/ Opportunities/ ChallengesIreland achieved rapid growth in its tourism industry during the 1990s as a result of the majorinvestment in product development and marketing undertaken during the early 1990s.However, more recently it has lost its competitive position due in part to complacency thatwas bred by the successes that had been achieved. Increasingly high prices and a decline invalue for money, together with increased competition, are seen to be major contributingfactors.Major Programs/Projects/InitiativesThe National Tourism Development Authority (Failte Ireland) is a relatively new bodyestablished with the following key roles:o Identify emerging business opportunitieso Benchmark competitorso Promote best practiceso Establish/promote customer service excellenceo Stimulate product development, including encouragement of industry to fill identifiedproduct gapso In-country marketingo Promoting and supporting of business capability development with industryo Maintaining standards and quality assuranceo Research and planning – monitoring industry performance and customer experienceso Supporting the regional tourism authoritiesIreland spends about E107 million annually on tourism marketing and development, 80 of thisis on marketing, the rest on development, etc.OntarioThere are two key groups involved in tourism at the provincial level in Ontario, the Ministryof Tourism and Recreation and the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation.Ministry of Tourism and Recreation (MTR)Investment Development Office (IDO)o Tourism development strategies/studieso Solicitation of tourism investmento Support service quality developmentTourism Research and Policyo Tourism research programso Policy developmentIDO facilitates the development of market-ready products by gathering market intelligence,sponsoring feasibility studies, conducting pilot studies and partnering with industry, theOntario Tourism Marketing Partnership (OTMP) and other ministries to implement strategies.THE ECONOMIC PLANNING GROUP of Canada Newfoundland & Labrador Tourism Product DevelopmentD. W. Knight Associates Strategy and Accommodation Needs Study