2003
Performance
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The province's tourism industry performed relatively well in
2003, with visitors and associated expenditures expected to be
on par with 2002. This performance stands in contrast to
national trends where extraordinary events, most notably the
SARS scare in Ontario, kept substantial numbers of visitors
away.
Nationally, many challenges emerged this year which
contributed to lower tourism numbers across the country. These
include the overall weakness in the US economy,
restructuring/problems in the airline industry, appreciation of
the Canadian dollar, terrorism related travel concerns, and a
number of unusual hits to the industry (e.g., SARS outbreak and
power outages). Non-resident visitor trips to Canada were down
by almost 14% in the first nine months. |
| Non-Resident Visitors and Spending
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| Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation |
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The provincial
tourism industry did not experience the large drop that
some other regions of the country recorded in 2003. In
fact, the province benefitted from the trend of increased
domestic travel, with continuing strong responses from
target markets in Ontario and the Maritimes, and a
late-season surge by last
minute travellers. In addition, more residents of the
province chose to stay and travel within the province
this year instead of visiting other places. For the
year, non-resident visitors and associated expenditures
are expected to be about the same as 2002. Data for the
first eight months indicate that increased airline
visitors is offsetting declines in automobile and cruise
ship visitors. |
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In an effort to build on the gains already achieved in
tourism, the province is taking steps to increase the
quality of the tourism product and involve industry more
fully in planning and marketing initiatives. The
formation of the Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism
Marketing Council will ensure a closer partnership
between government and other industry stakeholders in
marketing the province. Furthermore, the province, in
partnership with industry and federal stakeholders,
initiated the province-wide tourism product development
strategy in 2003. This strategy will pay particular
attention to product and service quality initiatives in
the tourism industry.
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Outlook
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The outlook for the
provincial tourism industry for 2004 is positive.
Factors behind the optimism include the trend of
Canadians increasingly choosing domestic destinations
and strengthening economic growth nationally. Next year,
Newfoundland and Labrador will celebrate 500 years of
French presence in the province. Celebrations for the
French Heritage Year include family reunions, theatre
festivals and other initiatives specific to the
communities which have a strong French history and
heritage.
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| Icebergs |
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An
average of 500 icebergs float as far South as St. John’s each year.
Many can be viewed from shore. |
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About 90% of all icebergs in Canadian waters are from Western
Greenland glaciers |
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The
peak time for iceberg sightings is spring and early summer |
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Almost 90% of an iceberg is below water |
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The
glacier ice in an iceberg is between 3,000 - 10,000 years old |
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