People are going to travel tourism minister

Tourism Minister Clyde Jackman believes claims high gas prices will have a devastating impact on the industry this summer are overstated.
The minister, who's also Burin-Placentia West MHA, was the guest speaker at the Heritage Run Tourism Association's 2008 Annual General Meeting Thursday at the Oldest Colony Trust building in Burin.
"I simply do not believe that tourists will not come here this year. People are going to travel. There's no doubt about it."
Mr. Jackman indicated Newfoundland and Labrador and the Burin Peninsula have the attractions people want to see.
He cited recent articles and features in several high profile magazines and newspapers, including the Wall Street Journal and Lonely Planet travel guide, which referred to the province as a must-see travel destination, as evidence.
"There's no doubt about it. The word is out. The word is out this year and the word is out about this province."
Unlike many other destinations, he pointed out tourists who visit Newfoundland and Labrador don't come by accident or happenstance, and must make a point to do so. He admitted while the number of visitors making the trip by ferry is down by 1.5 per cent so far this year, those who are flying to the province have increased by 4.5 per cent.
"People who come to this province must plan to come here. You have to. You have to fly or come by boat. That's it. We're not an accidental tourism destination."
The minister said he wasn't naÏve enough to believe higher gas prices wouldn't have any impact whatsoever. However, he suggested the province is competing with other destinations worldwide and must overcome challenges by investing money in tourism research and other areas.
"If we believe that we have the product here on the Burin Peninsula, or we have the product in Newfoundland and Labrador and we keep promoting it, then we've got a chance in this, but if we don't invest and make sure we're on the cutting edge, we will lose and we'll lose big time."
COOPERATION
Mr. Jackman acknowledged friendly people, hospitality and beautiful scenery remain the province's best assets. He continues to tout regional cooperation as the best way to achieve success.
"The Heritage Run Tourism Association recognizes that and they have advocated that approach, and the success that they have and will continue to have is based on that premise that you see us as one large community."
The theme of regional collaboration was one also echoed by Grand Bank MHA Darin King.
"I think it's very important that we focus on cooperation so that one community and one part of the peninsula doesn't try to out do another part because if we do that - and I'm certain we won't - but if that's the path we decide we wanted to take, then we're not going to succeed at all, in my view."
The MHA suggested the region is at a point in time where real opportunity for economic growth exists, and said he believes tourism has a role to play.
"As the tourism industry goes, I think economic activity on the Burin Peninsula will go, and I think the reverse is also true. As we see the development of new industry and new jobs created, I think we'll see a greater increase in the tourism activity that we see."
During the meeting, Heritage Run Tourism Association chair Irene Hurley presented certificates to representatives from the five largest towns on the peninsula - Burin, St. Lawrence, Marystown, Grand Bank and Fortune - for their commitment to tourism.
Earlier this year, the organization proposed each town make a 40 cent per capita contribution to the group to help cover costs of a core employee. Mrs. Hurley indicated the towns all readily came through without any issues, providing a total sum of $5,322.
"That means a million dollars to us."