22 June 2010
Cavendish, Prince Edward Island
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Robert Vessey, Provincial Minister of Tourism and Culture recently toured a portion of the Central Coastal Drive.
“Our Government is pleased to partner with regional tourism partners dedicated to further strengthening the tourism product in Atlantic Canada,” said Minister Shea on behalf of the Honourable Keith Ashfield, Minister of National Revenue, Minister of the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway. “Having a variety of tourism experiences across the Island better positions the province as a destination that is appealing to any traveler.”
Both governments will invest $295,000 in this project. ACOA’s investment will be through its Business Development Program, The Department of Tourism and Culture has invested in this project as a strategic initiative. The Central Coastal Drive - One Drive Two Shores, creates the final touring loop in conjunction with the North Cape and Points East Coastal Drives completing the provincial coastal drive touring system.
The Honourable Robert Vessey, Minister of Tourism and Culture says “Research has shown our scenic drives account for 52.2 percent of the decision to visit a destination, highlighting that scenic driving tours are a popular tourist product. As a tourism product scenic drives are critically important in influencing tourism visitation and the flow of tourists to a destination”.
The Central Coastal Drive Committee has been leading the development and implementation of the new Central Coastal Drive. The undertaking which involved input from stakeholders includes the re-branding and re-routing of the old Blue Heron Drive and the marketing of the drive and its two shores: Red Sands Shore and Green Gables Shore to both Islanders and visitors.
“This Central Coastal Drive – ‘One Drive, Two Shores’ gives us the opportunity to increase the awareness of the activities, attractions and natural beauty of the central region as a vacation destination,” said Antoinette Goeseels, Chair of the Central Coastal Drive Committee. “Promoting central PEI with its variety of products will increase visitation and the length of stay, and also boost spending in the area – a combination where everybody wins.”
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The Honourable Gail Shea, Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, and the Honourable Robert Vessey, Provincial Minister of Tourism and Culture recently toured a portion of the Central Coastal Drive.
The Central Coastal Drive Committee has been leading the development and implementation of the new Central Coastal Drive. The undertaking involved input from stakeholders and includes the re-branding and re-routing of the old Blue Heron Drive and marketing the drive and its two shores, Red Sands Shore and Green Gables Shore to both Islanders and visitors.
The new Central Coastal Drive: One Drive –Two Shores, developed with investments from the federal and provincial governments, and creates the final touring loop in conjunction with the North Cape and Points East Coastal Drives completing the provincial coastal drive touring system for both Islanders and visitors.
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INFORMATION:
Jana Parker
ACOA PEI & Tourism
902-368-0264
Julie Whitlock
Tourism and Culture
902-368-5535
Antoinette Goessels
Chair of the Central Coastal Drive Committee
902-887-2333
