Federal And Provincial Governments Announced Renewed Support For Atlantic Canada's Cruise Industry

CHARLOTTETOWN (PE) – January 9, 2012 – The Honourable Bernard Valcourt, Minister of State for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) and La Francophonie and the Honourable Robert Henderson, PEI Minister of Tourism and Culture, joined by industry partners, announced today a renewed support of more than $1.14 million for the Atlantic Canada Cruise Association (ACCA). This funding will allow the Association to continue its work to promote Atlantic Canada as a premier cruise destination over the next three years.

“Through its Growth Strategy for Tourism, our Government is supporting initiatives that build up our local economy by positioning Atlantic Canada as one of the top tourism destinations in the world," said Minister Valcourt. “We understand the important role that the cruise industry plays in the vitality and growth of Atlantic Canada’s tourism sector and the contribution it makes to the strength of our regional economy."

This $1.14 million investment will support the continued implementation of an industry-wide marketing strategy and its related activities through to 2014. The Government of Canada, through ACOA, is investing $350,000 in the initiative. Partnership ports, provincial tourism departments and cruise ship interests in each of the four Atlantic provinces provide the remaining balance of funding.

“The cruise ship sector plays an important role in strengthening the tourism industry and economy of Prince Edward Island and all of Atlantic Canada," said Robert Henderson, Minister of Tourism and Culture for Prince Edward Island. “Our government is pleased to support this partnership to help promote the continued growth of this sector."

The ACCA is a partnership between provincial cruise ports, ACOA, Parks Canada, provincial tourism departments and cruise ship interests in each of the four Atlantic provinces. The ACCA works to strengthen the region’s cruise industry during the spring, summer and fall tourism seasons.

"Our region's cruise industry continues to grow thanks to the strategic marketing initiatives undertaken through the Association," says Betty MacMillan, Chair of the ACCA. "The strong partnership that has been formed between governments, ports throughout Atlantic Canada and industry stakeholders has played a large role in creating the environment in which the cruise industry can continue to be successful."

This initiative supports the Government of Canada’s Federal Tourism Strategy, which is working to position Canada’s tourism sector to take advantage of international growth opportunities, to increase tourism revenues and to create jobs in Canada.

INFORMATION:

Andrea Richer
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Bernard Valcourt
613-790-3637

Katie MacNevin
ACOA PEI & Tourism
902-626-2878

Mary Moszynski
PEI Dept of Tourism and Culture
902-368-5535

Betty MacMillan
Atlantic Canada Cruise Association
506-636-5015