Gros Morne region gets $330K in funding for tourism boost

The federal and provincial governments are partnering to distributea chunk of money to promote tourism on Newfoundland's west coast.

A cash influx of $330,000 will go to theGros Morne Co-operating Association, a non-profit volunteer organization thatworks with Gros Morne National Park to supportprotection, preservation and interpretation of the park's heritage.

The money will be used toboost tourism when the COVID-19 pandemic is overand tourists are free to travel to the province again. The funding will also be used to develop a plan for the seven communities within the region, including Rocky Harbour, Norris Point, St. Paul's, Cow Head, Trout River, Woody Point and Glenburnie-Birchy Head-Shoal Brook.

"It will allow community leaders to engage with professionals in the industry to help develop initiatives that will address the gaps in the local tourism industry," said Premier AndrewFurey, who is the MHA for the district, on Friday in a virtual funding announcement.

While business operators welcome the money, they still have to prepare for another potentially tough tourism season next year.

Furey said it's still unknown when things will return to normal as the pandemic continues to dragon, but the moneyannounced on Friday will help prepare the industry ahead of time for when that happens.

ShirleyMontague, who represented the Gros Morne Co-operating Association during Friday's funding announcement, said the funding is needed as planning for 2021 festivals and events is ongoing whether they will be held virtually or in person.

She saidgroups, organizations and operatorsneed to know what funding is available to them after a year that saw many in the industry suffer across the province.

"People were either closed or operating at 10 to 15 per centcapacity. So where is next year going to go? Some may not open," Montague said.

"It's a very difficult question for [us] right now. We have to move forward however we can, develop some kind of vision, some kind of path, and come up with where it is we can go logistically."

MP Gudie Hutchings, who represents the Long Range Mountains, said the tourism industry can't sit back and wait, and planning ahead of time will get business owners and operators ready for a large influx of tourists when the time is right.

"This area will be ready to rock and roll, whether it be local tourists, AtlanticCanada, Canada and the world," she said.

"They will be ready with planning, new products, upgraded products, a whole new way of marketing, visioning.It's going to be a phenomenal thing for the area."

In total, the government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's business development program, iskicking in $247,500,non-repayable, towardthe project. Parks Canada and Fisheries and Oceans Canada are contributing $10,000 each. The government of Newfoundland and Labrador is contributing $82,500.

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