News Release Archive
ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT/TOURISM--New Atlantic Tourism Agreement
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A new $18.075-million Atlantic Canada Agreement on Tourism was
launched today in Moncton by Fred Mifflin, Minister of Veterans
Affairs and Secretary of State responsible for the Atlantic
Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and representatives of the
four Atlantic provinces.
This federal, provincial and private-sector agreement is intended
to combine limited resources to help expand the tourism industry
of Atlantic Canada. Specifically, the agreement will market
Atlantic Canada as a preferred travel destination, market
Atlantic Canada tourism products to the international touring
trade, and identify and undertake initiatives that enhance the
competitiveness of the Atlantic tourism industry.
On hand to make the announcement with Mr. Mifflin were Camille
Theriault, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, New
Brunswick; Manning MacDonald, Minister of Economic Development
and Tourism, Nova Scotia; Westin MacAleer, Minister of Economic
Development and Tourism, Prince Edward Island; and Anna Thistle,
member of the Newfoundland House of Assembly on behalf of Sandra
Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Newfoundland
and Labrador.
Also attending were the presidents of the four Atlantic tourism
industry associations: Liam Sneyd of Hospitality Newfoundland and
Labrador; John Slipp of the Tourism Industry Association of New
Brunswick; Susan Bartlett of the Tourism Industry Association of
Nova Scotia; and Gerry Gallant of the Tourism Industry
Association of Prince Edward Island.
"ACOA and the federal government are investing in the tourism
industry of Atlantic Canada because it is a growth industry with
great potential for job creation," said Mr. Mifflin. "The tourism
partnership has already had a successful beginning and this
agreement, with its emphasis on marketing, promotion and product
development, will assure continued growth."
"The farther we get away from home, the more we need the strength
of this partnership and our diverse range of attractions," said
Mr. MacDonald of Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism.
"In faraway markets, we're competing for attention with the
world. In this arena, what's good for our neighbour is good for
us all."
The tourism industry of Atlantic Canada generates about $2.3
billion in annual revenues. By percentage of gross provincial
product earned from tourism, the provinces of Prince Edward
Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland rank first,
second, fourth and fifth in the country, respectively. It's also
estimated there are 96,000 tourism-related jobs in the region.
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Contact: Gordon Stewart
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-851-2011
Angela Poirier
Nova Scotia Economic Development and Tourism
902-424-1593
NOTE TO EDITORS: A backgrounder on the tourism agreement is
available by e-mailing rossng@gov.ns.ca or calling 902-424-4492.
ngr Nov. 13, 1997 4:50 p.m.
