Sustainability and Regulation

Areas of focused advocacy: preserving the natural and cultural beauty of the province, sustainability of tourism industry and the development of a comprehensive land use plan that will guide land use for all industries.

HNL believes a balance must be found between the needs of the tourism industry and other resource-based industries. However, over the past number of years, many tourism operators have had competing uses for resources negatively impact their tourism experiences and investment. The following are some of the activities regarding land use advocacy:

Comprehensive Land Use Planning

Areas of focused advocacy: need overarching provincial policies and processes regarding the protection of tourism resources and assets, more interpretation, education and awareness programs regarding other resource-based industries and how all industries can work cooperatively.

HNL continues to be concerned with the lack of a comprehensive land use plan to resolve competing use conflicts throughout Newfoundland and Labrador. As a resource-based industry, tourism requires vision and stewardship for the planning and maintenance of landscapes and seascapes and the responsible development and protection of our natural outdoors and resources. Although HNL has been engaged with Tourism, Culture and Recreation and other stakeholders over the past two years to help resolve conflicts, dealing with individual issues does not address the lack of a provincial land use plan and the long term impacts on our industry.

Forest Harvesting

Areas of focused advocacy: work with the forestry industry to ensure the interests of both industries are considered when planning the future cutting plans for the forestry industry, and monitor consultation process regarding forest harvesting to ensure tourism operators have the opportunity to voice their concerns as the future plans are determined.

Tourism operators have raised concern regarding the poor viewscapes caused by clear cutting. HNL participated in a pilot process with the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation (TCR) to work towards solutions to forest harvesting conflicts on the west coast of the province. TCR hired an independent consultant to develop 3D images of proposed cutting in important viewshed regions that were used to identify sensitive areas where further planning was needed.