Tourism

The tourism sector has been and will continue to be a major contributor to the economy of Zone 8.  The region has a wealth of natural, historic, cultural and recreational resources that currently or potentially have appeal to regional, national and international travel markets.  The region’s physical resource base offers numerous outstanding opportunities for multi-seasonal tourism related activities.  White Bay South, Bay of Islands and other rural communities such as Cormack and Reidville lack connectivity with their potential tourism attractions such as hiking trails, heritage properties and adventure tourism.

Zone 8 tourism is comprised of both residents travelling throughout Newfoundland and Labrador and non-residents travelling to the Province. 

Zone 8 has a wealth of attractions and adventures to offer the local resident tourist or the out of province or international visitor including downhill and cross-country skiing, snowmobiling, hiking, boating, fishing, golfing, caving, and zip lining to name just a few. 

Zone 8 also is located next to Gros Morne National Park.  Just about every one of the 160,000 visitors who travel to Gros Morne must travel through Zone 8 first.

As well, Zone 8 has a large section of the newly developing International Appalachian Trail System.

Zone 8 has excellent transportation systems with the TCH traveling through it, exits to the Viking Trail and several provincial routes.  The Deer Lake Airport calls Zone 8 home and it is the 4th busiest airport in Atlantic Canada serving over 278,000 passengers in 2007 and it is setting new records in 2008.  Deer Lake Airport hosts 9 airlines. 

Corner Brook Port Authority too is a major player in the transportation of goods to and from Zone 8.  In addition, Corner Brook plays host to a large number of Cruise Ships each summer and fall.  Last season, this activity had a $3.3 million economic impact on the local communities.

There are challenges within the tourism sector – air access, ferry access, rental cars, etc during the busy summer season.  As well, an announcement in September 2008 of the bankruptcy of Humber valley Resort is not good news for the tourism industry.  It is hoped that other tourism operators will be strong enough to continue on while this issue is resolved.