The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Steve Crocker, Minister of Tourism, Culture, Arts and Recreation:

Speaker, I recently had the opportunity to meet with provincial tourism leaders for the biannual Tourism Leadership Summit.

At the meeting, I was able to provide an update on the 2024 tourism season.

I was proud to share that this was a pivotal year for tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador and we have officially reached recovery in terms of surpassing the pre-pandemic visitation numbers.

In 2024, notably, air services have increased significantly with a 21 per cent capacity boost compared to 2023. Inbound non-stop air capacity numbers have consistently surpassed 2019 levels for several months.

Overall, the tourism and hospitality industry is making significant strides toward achieving the goals outlined in Vision 2026. To date, enhancements in air access capacity, the launch of a comprehensive tourism research plan, and a revised marketing strategy in collaboration with industry partners have been implemented.

Additionally, sustainable tourism practices are being promoted, targeted training for hospitality staff is underway, and local business partnerships are being strengthened to enhance visitor experiences, all while engaging with stakeholders to refine strategies for future success.

As we go forward, we remain optimistic about our growth and potential and, together with our stakeholders, will continue to showcase the unique beauty and culture of our province.