Tourism Plan to Attract more Visitors to Miramichi River Region
News release
June 1, 2018 – Miramichi, NB – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
Last year was the best year ever for tourism in Canada, as we welcomed a record of 20.8 million international visitors to our shores. The tourism industry is an important economic driver in our communities, as one in 10 jobs in Canada is associated with the visitor economy. Investing in tourism projects in both big cities and small towns 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 for the middle class.
Thanks to investments by the federal and provincial governments, the Miramichi River Tourism Association will implement a strategic marketing plan to boost tourism throughout the region.
To celebrate Tourism Week , Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi-Grand Lake, 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, along with the Hon. Bill Fraser, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation made the announcement today.
The investment will support the overall implementation of a plan to boost tourism in the region, with a focus on exploring product and experience development for the Miramichi region’s regular season, piloting a shoulder season, and developing a food strategy. The Government of Canada is providing a contribution of $129,957 through ACOA’s Business Development Program, while the Province of New Brunswick is investing $81,000 through the Regional Development Corporation.
This investment reflects the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces’ commitment 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
“The tourism industry is a critical part of the Atlantic Canadian economy and offers tremendous opportunity for communities to develop their economies. Through the Atlantic Growth Strategy, the Government of Canada, together with the four Atlantic Provinces, are working to fuel expansion of tourism offerings in our communities. This investment will help prepare tourism operators throughout the Miramichi region to promote the best of what they have to offer to a global marketplace.”
- The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for ACOA
“The Government of Canada is proud to support the efforts of the Miramichi River Tourism Association to attract more tourists to the Miramichi region year-round and strengthen the local economy. As we celebrate Tourism Week, let’s recognize the talent of our local entrepreneurs, who help create unique experiences for the people visiting our communities. 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
“Enhancing our ability to promote tourism experiences in the Miramichi River region will have tremendous benefits for businesses and residents throughout the area. The implementation of this marketing plan will help to attract more visitors to our area and encourage longer stays, which will help drive economic growth and add vibrancy to our communities. We have so much to build on, and this will help us to further develop and promote our region as a unique and increasingly in-demand travel destination.”
- Pat Finnigan, Member of Parliament for Miramichi-Grand-Lake
“Our funding will be used to help promote products and experiences with proven significance to potential visitors, as well as to residents of the Miramichi region. As a government, we are investing $100-million over the next eight years in order to increase tourism revenues from a $1.3-billion a year industry to a $2-billion by 2025. One of the ways in which we will achieve this is by investing strategically in the province’s marketing efforts.”
- Hon. Bill Fraser, Minister of Transportation and Infrastructure and minister responsible for the Regional Development Corporation
“The Miramichi River Tourism Association is excited to partner with the provincial and federal governments on this project, and we look forward to the results. The future of Tourism in the Miramichi will depend on our ability to develop products and experiences that will attract travelers. Our brand, the Atlantic Canada’s Great Outdoors, truly represents our region. To package what we have as well as to develop new products ready for marketing to the world will unleash the potential and allow us to remain sustainable, competitive and innovative in a global travel destination market.”
- Monique Mills, Executive Director, Miramichi River Tourism Association
Contacts
Paul CJ LeBlanc
Senior Communications Officer
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
506-452-3310
Bruce MacFarlane
Communications
Regional Development Corporation
506-444-4377
Monique Mills
Executive Director
Miramichi River Tourism Association
506-773-4414