March 11, 2015 – Fogo Island, NL – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
The Town of Fogo Island is enhancing its tourism and cultural industry infrastructure, thanks in part to an investment by the Government of Canada. The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency), announced federal support of more than $147,000 for the initiative today.
Federal funding will enable the Town of Fogo Island to upgrade key heritage landmarks, improve visitor information areas, upgrade a website, improve information services capabilities and integrate tourism signage. Upgrades include interior and exterior building renovations and site improvements around Bleak House, Dwyer Premises, Brett House, a Visitor Information Services Building and a park on Fogo Island.
This initiative responds to significant increases in tourism visitation to Fogo Island since 2007, which have been fueled by newer initiatives introduced through the Shorefast Foundation. The region has developed a geo-tourism industry that includes nationally and internationally acclaimed artist-in-residence programs, integrated experiential tourism programming and the Fogo Island Inn. Upgrades to Fogo Island’s tourism infrastructure will complement these experiences by providing unique interactions with residents, sites and the natural environment.
Quick Facts:
- The Government of Canada is providing $147,294 for this project through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency’s Innovative Communities Fund.
- The Town of Fogo Island is a newly created municipality charged with the municipal jurisdiction of the entire area of Fogo Island. In early 2011, eleven previously incorporated towns on Fogo Island came together in one municipal unit for responsibilities such as local governance, services, facilities and budgeting.
- Today’s announcement is another example of how Canada’s Federal Tourism Strategy is encouraging product development and investments in Canadian tourism assets and products.
Quotes:
“Our Government is pleased to support projects such as Fogo Island’s tourism infrastructure improvement initiative, which create jobs and stimulate the economy. Tourism and cultural industries help build strong and vibrant local economies by generating new opportunities for community and business development, and these improvements will benefit the residents of Fogo Island for years to come.”
- The Honourable Rob Moore, Regional Minister for Newfoundland and Labrador and Minister of State (Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency)
“The Town of Fogo Island is extremely pleased with the latest federal and provincial government financial support of our Town’s developing tourism industry. This amount of funding will allow Fogo Island to respond creatively to the growing volume of visitors to our area. Fogo Island, a now preferred world visitor destination site, will utilize such funds to enhance cultural and heritage infrastructure as well as concentrate on aspects of visitor communication and transportation. This is truly a shot in the arm for our attempts to diversify and enhance our local economy.”
- Mayor Andrew Shea, Town of Fogo Island
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Contacts:
Kelsie Corey
Director of Communications
Office of the Honourable Rob Moore
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
613-941-7241
Kelsie.Corey@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Julie Afonso
Acting Director, Public Affairs
ACOA NL
709-772-2984
Julie.Afonso@acoa-apeca.gc.ca
Alexander Crawford
Director of Recreation, Heritage, Culture and Tourism
Town of Fogo Island
709-266-1320
