May 10, 2006
Montague, Prince Edward Island
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of Foreign Affairs
and Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
(ACOA), and the Honourable Philip Brown, Prince Edward
Island Minister of Tourism, today announced funding for the
Points East Coastal Drive, a scenic tourism drive located
in the Island's eastern region."Canada's new government understands the importance of the
tourism industry on PEI," said Minister MacKay. "ACOA is
pleased to work with the provincial government to provide
the infrastructure required to promote the Points East
Coastal Drive, one of the Island's natural coastal touring
destinations."The project will provide infrastructure in the form of
branded highway signage, map stations and scenic lookouts
to attract visitors to undiscovered vistas, harbours, parks
and beaches in eastern PEI. "I would like to extend my congratulations to the members
of Island East Tourism Group Inc. who have worked on this
project for the past two years and have formed this dynamic
partnership with Active Communities Inc.," said Minister
Brown. "The new Points East Coastal Drive will introduce
visitors to eastern PEI and entice them to stay longer."The Points East Coastal Drive is the result of a
partnership between the Island East Tourism Group, a not-
for-profit regional tourism organization in eastern PEI,
and Active Communities Inc., a not-for-profit organization
that promotes economic development in the region. The two
groups are working together to ensure the project is viable
and sustainable and that it will produce community and
economic benefits in eastern PEI."Visitors want experiences on their vacations and that
includes coastal touring, sightseeing, and beach
activities," said Don Larkin, General Manager of Active
Communities Inc. "The Points East Coastal Drive can offer
this and much more to visitors and Islanders alike."ACOA is providing $296,500 to the project through its
Innovative Communities Fund. The provincial government,
through Tourism PEI, is contributing $125,000.
FOR BROADCAST USE ONLY:
The Points East Coastal Drive will receive funding from
ACOA and Tourism PEI. Foreign Affairs and ACOA Minister
Peter MacKay and Tourism Minister Philip Brown announced
investments in highway signage, map stations and scenic
lookouts for the touring destination, formerly known as the
Kings Byway Scenic Drive. Improvements will be ready for
the 2006 summer tourism season.
Jana Parker
ACOA PEI & Tourism
(902) 368-0264
Sherry MacDougall
Tourism PEI
(902) 368-5535
Don Larkin
Active Communities Inc.
(902) 838-4030
Joan Perrin
Chair Points East Coastal Drive
Island East Tourism Association
(902) 838-8441
BACKGROUNDERThe Points East Coastal Drive replaces the former Kings
Byway Scenic Drive. In 2001, a study was undertaken to
provide strategic recommendations for Prince Edward
Island's touring product. One of the recommendations was to
develop names that are reflective of the experience being
offered in the area. It is anticipated that the new
name, "Points East Coastal Drive," combined with an
enhanced marketing effort, will attract visitors to
undeveloped and undiscovered parts of eastern PEI.Innovative Communities Fund (ICF)
ACOA's Innovative Communities Fund invests in strategic
projects that build the economies of Atlantic Canada's
communities. The program builds on the strengths of
communities and focuses on investments that lead to long-
term employment and economic capacity building.Tourism PEI
The Product Development Fund provides non-repayable
contributions to assist in the research, development and
market launch of new tourism products. A primary objective
of the Product Development Fund is to support the "Prince
Edward Island Strategy for Tourism Competitiveness."
Projects supported by the Fund will relate directly to the
development or enhancement of the icon products identified
in the Strategy. Projects supported by the Product
Development Fund should strengthen Prince Edward Island's
appeal as a destination.
