For immediate release

January 27, 2017

St. John’s – Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador is deeply concerned about the latest rate increase for users of the Marine Atlantic service.

“Marine Atlantic Inc. provides an essential link between Newfoundland and Labrador and the rest of Canada, transporting not only residents and travellers, but also consumer goods and services,” says Hospitality NL Chair, Dion Finlay. “Rate increases such as those implemented by Marine Atlantic over the last number of years have a major impact on travellers’ budgets and the bottom line of more than 2,500 tourism businesses in this province.”

“Despite challenges surrounding access and transportation, tourism research indicates that the number of non-resident automobile visitors travelling to the province to the end of October 2016 increased by 5.0% compared to the same time period of last year. This kind of growth, especially in the market segment of non-resident automobile visitors who tend to stay longer and spend more money while visiting the province, is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the industry. Continued rate increases on the Marine Atlantic service will no doubt have a negative impact on that growth.”

In order to continue to develop a vibrant and sustainable tourism industry in Newfoundland and Labrador, access to the province through the essential transportation link of Marine Atlantic must be able to provide travellers with an accessible, affordable, and reliable service that meets their evolving needs.

Hospitality NL is continuing to advocate to the federal government that the percentage of cost recovery be lowered and funding for Marine Atlantic be set over an extended period so that it enables long-term planning, allows for pricing that does not erode the level of service or deter travellers and is sufficient to drive continuous improvement and cost efficiency in the service.

Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador is the provincial tourism industry association dedicated to advancing growth in tourism through advocacy efforts, skills and knowledge development and membership opportunities.

Source: Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development Year-To-Date (YTD) Tourism Highlights October 2016

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Media Contact:
Melissa Ennis
Manager, Policy & Communications
Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
E: mennis@hnl.ca
P: 709-722-2000 ext. 231