Tourism Business Expanding to Offer Improved Visitor Experiences
News release
Government of Canada invests $175,000 in Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures Limited
June 1, 2018 – Broad Cove (NL) – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
In 2017, Canadians welcomed a record of 20.8 million international visitors to our shores. The tourism industry is vibrant from coast to coast to coast, as one in 10 jobs in Canada is associated with the visitor economy. Investing in tourism projects in both big cities and small communities throughout Atlantic Canada is essential to growing this important economic sector for Canadians. By investing in our tourism sector, we attract new visitors, grow businesses and create new ones, generating economic growth and good middle-class jobs.
That is why the Government of Canada has invested $175,000 to help Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures Limited expand its tour business with an accommodation facility to offer enhanced visitor experiences in the region.
To celebrate Tourism Week, Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, today announced this repayable investment through ACOA’s Business Development Program for the expansion.
Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures Limited has operated narrated boat tours, sightseeing tours and fishery-based experiences since 2005. This investment enabled the company to renovate and upgrade an existing waterfront property, adjacent to its tour business in Broad Cove, to offer a seven room inn, which opens today.
The expansion will enable Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures Limited to provide unique experiential tourism packages to visitors. This will include adventure tour packages combining activities such as whale watching, sightseeing boat tours and iceberg viewing with on-site accommodations.
This investment builds on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the region’s tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs across the region. This bold new approach is in line with Canada’s Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.
Today’s announcement comes as Canada celebrates Tourism Week from May 27 to June 2, 2018.
Quotes
“Growing tourism in this region is a key priority under the Atlantic Growth Strategy. Through strategic investments like this one in Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures, our government is helping local operators provide improved services and more enriching experiences for visitors, which will create a more modern and sustainable industry.”
The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“Our government recognizes that tourism is an important economic driver. We are proud to support local businesses, such as Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures, which offers visitors the chance to take in this region’s culture with unique experiences such as whale watching tours and accommodations that showcase local art and heritage. Atlantic Canada’s incredibly rich cultures, history and natural beauty are at the heart of many of the tourist attractions across the region, which our government recognizes as important contributors to our economy.”
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
“It’s no secret that visitors are drawn to our province by the people and places that make it a unique and welcoming destination. Our government’s support for Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures is another example of how we are helping small businesses capitalize on opportunities to expand their operations, which will benefit the local economy with increased visitation to our region.”
Churence Rogers, Member of Parliament for Bonavista-Burin-Trinity
“We are excited to be expanding our business with the addition of the Dildo Boathouse Inn, as well as the Music and Friends Café. Visitors will get to experience our area’s culture with performances from local musicians all summer long and through the original art and local crafted furnishings we have included in each room.”
Paula McEntegart, Co-owner, Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures Limited
Contacts
Paul McGrath
Director, Communications
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
paul.mcgrath@canada.ca
Paula McEntegart
Co-owner
Dildo Island Boat Tours and Adventures Limited
709-582-2988 or 709-687-0699