I am pleased and excited to have Tourism and Parks as my new portfolio, just in time for Tourism Week.

Tourism is a vital part of New Brunswick’s economy, making up 3.2% of the provincial GDP and employing well over 20,000 people. Tourist spending brings in close to $1 billion dollars to our province each year. Supporting the tourism industry is an essential part of developing the local economy and bringing New Brunswick closer to our goal of self-sufficiency.  I look forward to working closely with all Tourism Operators to continue to make New Brunswick the ideal vacation destination.

New Brunswick is a place that is rich in history and culture, and what better time to celebrate all that our province has to offer than during Tourism Week (June 7-13). As part of the celebrations, on June 12, admission will be free to all nine Provincial Parks throughout the province.  I encourage everyone to visit TourismNewBrunswick.ca where there are more than 110 different experiences to be enjoyed right in our own backyard. The time is now to discover, or perhaps re-discover, all the wonders of New Brunswick.

Hon. Brian Kenny
Minister of Tourism and Parks

I am pleased and excited to have Tourism and Parks as my new portfolio, just in time for Tourism Week.

Tourism is a vital part of New Brunswick’s economy, making up 3.2% of the provincial GDP and employing well over 20,000 people. Tourist spending brings in close to $1 billion dollars to our province each year. Supporting the tourism industry is an essential part of developing the local economy and bringing New Brunswick closer to our goal of self-sufficiency.  I look forward to working closely with all Tourism Operators to continue to make New Brunswick the ideal vacation destination.

New Brunswick is a place that is rich in history and culture, and what better time to celebrate all that our province has to offer than during Tourism Week (June 7-13). As part of the celebrations, on June 12, admission will be free to all nine Provincial Parks throughout the province.  I encourage everyone to visit TourismNewBrunswick.ca where there are more than 110 different experiences to be enjoyed right in our own backyard. The time is now to discover, or perhaps re-discover, all the wonders of New Brunswick.

Hon. Brian Kenny
Minister of Tourism and Parks

Tourism Strategy Unveiled
The provincial government and the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick released its 2010-13 tourism strategy, The Time Is Now, on April 26, 2010, in Bouctouche.

The strategy targets three areas for development, and each has a set of objectives:
• customer attraction and engagement;
• investment and infrastructure;
• human resource development.

An action committee, comprised of five appointees from TIANB and another five from the provincial government, will be formed to implement the strategy.  The committee will report to the Minister of Tourism and Parks and to the president of TIANB.

The strategy can be found at www.gnb.ca/tourism.

New Brunswick, The Official Touring Guide 2010 is your tool to inform and to encourage visitors to your establishment or attraction to stay longer in the province. Ensure that your visitors make the most of their New Brunswick vacation by ordering your touring guides.
Please click here to order New Brunswick, The Official Touring Guide 2010.

Industry Matters:
The Department of Tourism and Parks is committed to communicating with the provincial tourism industry.  To this effect, an Industry Relations position has been established within the Tourism Development & Operations division. Rose Arsenault has been assigned to this role and Rose will provide a coordinated, pro-active approach to the department’s communication and interface with the industry that it serves. 
For more information and to inform us on how we may better serve you, please contact:
Rose Arsenault, Project Executive, Industry Relations
Rose.arsenault@gnb.ca
506 457-6754
1 888 817-5577

Tourism Strategy Unveiled
The provincial government and the Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick released its 2010-13 tourism strategy, The Time Is Now, on April 26, 2010, in Bouctouche.

The strategy targets three areas for development, and each has a set of objectives:
• customer attraction and engagement;
• investment and infrastructure;
• human resource development.

An action committee, comprised of five appointees from TIANB and another five from the provincial government, will be formed to implement the strategy.  The committee will report to the Minister of Tourism and Parks and to the president of TIANB.

The strategy can be found at www.gnb.ca/tourism.

New Brunswick, The Official Touring Guide 2010 is your tool to inform and to encourage visitors to your establishment or attraction to stay longer in the province. Ensure that your visitors make the most of their New Brunswick vacation by ordering your touring guides.
Please click here to order New Brunswick, The Official Touring Guide 2010.

Industry Matters:
The Department of Tourism and Parks is committed to communicating with the provincial tourism industry.  To this effect, an Industry Relations position has been established within the Tourism Development & Operations division. Rose Arsenault has been assigned to this role and Rose will provide a coordinated, pro-active approach to the department’s communication and interface with the industry that it serves. 
For more information and to inform us on how we may better serve you, please contact:
Rose Arsenault, Project Executive, Industry Relations
Rose.arsenault@gnb.ca
506 457-6754
1 888 817-5577

TIANB Annual Conference:
TIANB will be hosting its 2010 Annual Conference at the Edmundston Convention Centre on May 26, 27 and 28, 2010.  This year's theme, All Aboard, translates the willingness and effort to work together to strategically develop competitive product offerings and to build the promotional momentum within the markets. You will not want to miss our internationally reknown speakers and facilitators who will provide new knowledge, an extraordinary training opportunity, innovative tools and proven ideas to help us take our tourism offerings one step further! 
This Conference will be an amazing opportunity for tourism operators and stakeholders from all over New Brunswick to work together toward further development and growth of our industry!

Tourism Week in Canada – June 7 - 13, 2010
Tourism Week in Canada is the national celebration that highlights the economic impact and social benefits of Canada’s tourism sector among the media, general public and governments at all levels.  The purpose of this event is to increase the public's awareness of the importance of tourism to the provincial economy.

Atlantic Canada Showcase
2010 Dates:  October 17-19
Location:  Halifax, Nova Scotia

Bienvenue Quebec               
2010 Dates:  October 26-28
Location:  Charlevoix region

Ontario Motorcoach Association
2010 Dates:  October 31 - November 3
Location:  Niagara Falls, Ontario

National Tour Association (NTA) Annual Convention
2010 Dates:  Nov. 13-17
Location:  Montreal, Quebec

TIANB Annual Conference:
TIANB will be hosting its 2010 Annual Conference at the Edmundston Convention Centre on May 26, 27 and 28, 2010.  This year's theme, All Aboard, translates the willingness and effort to work together to strategically develop competitive product offerings and to build the promotional momentum within the markets. You will not want to miss our internationally reknown speakers and facilitators who will provide new knowledge, an extraordinary training opportunity, innovative tools and proven ideas to help us take our tourism offerings one step further! 
This Conference will be an amazing opportunity for tourism operators and stakeholders from all over New Brunswick to work together toward further development and growth of our industry!

Tourism Week in Canada – June 7 - 13, 2010
Tourism Week in Canada is the national celebration that highlights the economic impact and social benefits of Canada’s tourism sector among the media, general public and governments at all levels.  The purpose of this event is to increase the public's awareness of the importance of tourism to the provincial economy.

Atlantic Canada Showcase
2010 Dates:  October 17-19
Location:  Halifax, Nova Scotia

Bienvenue Quebec               
2010 Dates:  October 26-28
Location:  Charlevoix region

Ontario Motorcoach Association
2010 Dates:  October 31 - November 3
Location:  Niagara Falls, Ontario

National Tour Association (NTA) Annual Convention
2010 Dates:  Nov. 13-17
Location:  Montreal, Quebec

Operator Self-Serve:
Tourism operators with product offerings included on the Tourism and Parks consumer website are encouraged to take advantage of the Operator Self-Service Tool which allows you access to update your information directly into the database.  Contact Anne Guimond (Anne.Guimond@gnb.ca) for details and training.

Get Listed in “Where to Eat”:
The official New Brunswick Consumer Website offers a free restaurant listing in partnership with DiningFeed.com.  To register your eating establishment, visit diningfeed.com.  For more information, contact Mark Taylor at mark@deloramedia.com.

2010 Advertising Initiatives Hitting the Market:
The Department of Tourism and Parks will be rolling out the 2010 advertising campaigns in all of our key markets starting this month.  Designed to continue to build awareness and inspire people to visit, stay longer and truly experience New Brunswick, the campaigns will feature a renewed brand personality, a new look and feel and a targeted media strategy.  Check out www.gnb.ca/tourism to find the latest ads and strategy as they hit the market.

Consumer Shows Hitting the Mark:
With a renewed strategy for consumer shows, the Department of Tourism and Parks along with industry partners have made a big impact in some new shows and continued to build on past successes for others.  Having attended two new Montreal and Quebec RV shows with a great deal of success, initial numbers show attendance numbers exceeded expectations with a high level of interest in what New Brunswick has to offer.  The Fete de l‘été in Quebec City continued to grow in numbers once again performing well for the Department and the industry partners.  Lastly, Saltscapes Expo in Halifax continued to surprise everyone with a dramatic increase in show attendance this year.  Initial response of that show proved that Halifax remains a huge market for the province and many of the consumers coming through were in high vacation planning mode – a perfect opportunity to showcase our province and our products!

Travel Media Program Results in Coverage:
The travel media relations team coordinated visits to New Brunswick by 85 travel journalists in 2009, and the value of editorial coverage on New Brunswick in 2009 was $36 million.

The success of the travel media program relies on the participation of industry partners. Your commitment to working with the travel media team to respond to the specific interests of visiting media helps showcase the best that New Brunswick has to offer.

The media team has been active in recent months with a number of initiatives designed to generate further editorial coverage and continue to bring travel media to New Brunswick.

Along with the other Atlantic provinces, New Brunswick participated in appointments with editors and journalists in New York in January, pitching New Brunswick-specific stories as well as the region as a whole.  The four provinces also joined forces at the end of March and hosted an event in New York showcasing Maritime products and hospitality, and emphasizing the provinces’ rich potential for story ideas.

The team concentrated on Toronto in February, pitching New Brunswick at individual appointments with journalists, an editors’ event, and the monthly meeting of the Ontario branch of the Society of American Travel Writers.

In March, New Brunswick was represented at the annual meeting of the Travel Media Association of Canada in Wales, as well as at the Canadian Travel Partners event in Washington, DC.

As a result of these efforts, planning is underway for a number of customized media tours in 2010.  Interest in New Brunswick is high, and a larger-than-normal number of winter and spring media tours have already been conducted.  It is anticipated that 2010 will be a very busy season.

For information on the travel media relations program, please contact Heather MacDonald-Bossé at 506-444-5122 or Heather.MacDonald-Bossé@gnb.ca.

Operator Self-Serve:
Tourism operators with product offerings included on the Tourism and Parks consumer website are encouraged to take advantage of the Operator Self-Service Tool which allows you access to update your information directly into the database.  Contact Anne Guimond (Anne.Guimond@gnb.ca) for details and training.

Get Listed in “Where to Eat”:
The official New Brunswick Consumer Website offers a free restaurant listing in partnership with DiningFeed.com.  To register your eating establishment, visit diningfeed.com.  For more information, contact Mark Taylor at mark@deloramedia.com.

2010 Advertising Initiatives Hitting the Market:
The Department of Tourism and Parks will be rolling out the 2010 advertising campaigns in all of our key markets starting this month.  Designed to continue to build awareness and inspire people to visit, stay longer and truly experience New Brunswick, the campaigns will feature a renewed brand personality, a new look and feel and a targeted media strategy.  Check out www.gnb.ca/tourism to find the latest ads and strategy as they hit the market.

Consumer Shows Hitting the Mark:
With a renewed strategy for consumer shows, the Department of Tourism and Parks along with industry partners have made a big impact in some new shows and continued to build on past successes for others.  Having attended two new Montreal and Quebec RV shows with a great deal of success, initial numbers show attendance numbers exceeded expectations with a high level of interest in what New Brunswick has to offer.  The Fete de l‘été in Quebec City continued to grow in numbers once again performing well for the Department and the industry partners.  Lastly, Saltscapes Expo in Halifax continued to surprise everyone with a dramatic increase in show attendance this year.  Initial response of that show proved that Halifax remains a huge market for the province and many of the consumers coming through were in high vacation planning mode – a perfect opportunity to showcase our province and our products!

Travel Media Program Results in Coverage:
The travel media relations team coordinated visits to New Brunswick by 85 travel journalists in 2009, and the value of editorial coverage on New Brunswick in 2009 was $36 million.

The success of the travel media program relies on the participation of industry partners. Your commitment to working with the travel media team to respond to the specific interests of visiting media helps showcase the best that New Brunswick has to offer.

The media team has been active in recent months with a number of initiatives designed to generate further editorial coverage and continue to bring travel media to New Brunswick.

Along with the other Atlantic provinces, New Brunswick participated in appointments with editors and journalists in New York in January, pitching New Brunswick-specific stories as well as the region as a whole.  The four provinces also joined forces at the end of March and hosted an event in New York showcasing Maritime products and hospitality, and emphasizing the provinces’ rich potential for story ideas.

The team concentrated on Toronto in February, pitching New Brunswick at individual appointments with journalists, an editors’ event, and the monthly meeting of the Ontario branch of the Society of American Travel Writers.

In March, New Brunswick was represented at the annual meeting of the Travel Media Association of Canada in Wales, as well as at the Canadian Travel Partners event in Washington, DC.

As a result of these efforts, planning is underway for a number of customized media tours in 2010.  Interest in New Brunswick is high, and a larger-than-normal number of winter and spring media tours have already been conducted.  It is anticipated that 2010 will be a very busy season.

For information on the travel media relations program, please contact Heather MacDonald-Bossé at 506-444-5122 or Heather.MacDonald-Bossé@gnb.ca.

Translation Assistance Program:
Translation NB is accepting applications for its Translation Assistance Program.  This Program is being funded by ACOA through the Government of Canada’s Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality.

Financial assistance is offered to small and medium enterprises in the Atlantic region who wish to translate their promotional material into one of Canada’s two official languages.

Each successful applicant can receive up to 75% of eligible costs incurred, up to a maximum of $2,500.  

Recognizing Arts & Culture:
Cultural Capitals of Canada is a national program to recognize excellence and support Canadian municipalities for special activities that celebrate the arts and culture and integrate them into overall community planning.

The guidelines and application forms for the 2011 Cultural Capitals of Canada awards are now available.  

For details on how Canadian municipalities can apply for an award, visit: http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index-eng.cfm

Complete applications with all support material must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2010.

NB Growth Program:
The objectives of the NB Growth Program (NBGP) are to:
• create sustainable employment opportunities in New Brunswick by financially stimulating small businesses to pursue opportunities within targeted sectors of the economy
• stimulate capital investment for small business start-up, expansion, diversification, innovation, and productivity improvement.  

The Lieutenant-Governor’s Awards for High Achievement in the Arts:  
An opportunity to highlight the work of artists from New Brunswick is presenting itself with an invitation for the public to submit nominations for the Lieutenant Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts. Up to three prizes worth $20,000 will be awarded by the New Brunswick Arts Board.  The disciplines eligible this year are literary arts (English), dance and music.  The deadline for submitting applications is June 15.  The awards will be presented in the Fall. 

Translation Assistance Program:
Translation NB is accepting applications for its Translation Assistance Program.  This Program is being funded by ACOA through the Government of Canada’s Roadmap for Canada's Linguistic Duality.

Financial assistance is offered to small and medium enterprises in the Atlantic region who wish to translate their promotional material into one of Canada’s two official languages.

Each successful applicant can receive up to 75% of eligible costs incurred, up to a maximum of $2,500.  

Recognizing Arts & Culture:
Cultural Capitals of Canada is a national program to recognize excellence and support Canadian municipalities for special activities that celebrate the arts and culture and integrate them into overall community planning.

The guidelines and application forms for the 2011 Cultural Capitals of Canada awards are now available.  

For details on how Canadian municipalities can apply for an award, visit: http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/ccc/index-eng.cfm

Complete applications with all support material must be postmarked no later than June 15, 2010.

NB Growth Program:
The objectives of the NB Growth Program (NBGP) are to:
• create sustainable employment opportunities in New Brunswick by financially stimulating small businesses to pursue opportunities within targeted sectors of the economy
• stimulate capital investment for small business start-up, expansion, diversification, innovation, and productivity improvement.  

The Lieutenant-Governor’s Awards for High Achievement in the Arts:  
An opportunity to highlight the work of artists from New Brunswick is presenting itself with an invitation for the public to submit nominations for the Lieutenant Governor's Award for High Achievement in the Arts. Up to three prizes worth $20,000 will be awarded by the New Brunswick Arts Board.  The disciplines eligible this year are literary arts (English), dance and music.  The deadline for submitting applications is June 15.  The awards will be presented in the Fall. 

New Brunswick's Provincial Parks 75th Anniversary:
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of New Brunswick’s Provincial Parks, acclaimed wildlife artist Robert Bateman has produced 3000 copies of his painting, Family Hike, which depicts a family experiencing and sharing the beauty of nature. Proceeds will support New Brunswick parks education and awareness programs and will also support the Robert Bateman Get to Know Program, which encourages young people to learn about the outdoors and wildlife. Copies of the print are available through Service New Brunswick.
* Many activities are being planned throughout every provincial park for the big birthday celebration. Don’t forget to check back for upcoming special events that the entire family is sure to enjoy.

The Experience Collection: 
The Product Development team has been working closely with operators who will be offering experiences as part of The Experience Collection during summer 2010.  Within the seven Experience Collection themed categories of Cuisine, Cultures and Customs, Child’s Play, Celebration, Comfort and Contemplation, Call of the Wild and Challenge, 110 experiences will be offered.  These experiences will be included in all Tourism and Parks’ marketing media and can be accessed through the following link: www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca.  We encourage you to check them out!

The New Brunswick Tourism Development Guidelines:
The  Product Development team, working closely with the Strategic Planning and Policy Branch, has recently completed the 2010 New Brunswick Tourism Development Guidelines. 

These Guidelines identify development priorities for the New Brunswick tourism industry and focus investment on these priorities.  These development priorities have been determined through current market research, and have been assessed against four key variables:  the potential for development of experiential tourism products, existing market demand for this type of experience, New Brunswick’s competitive advantage in providing this product relative to the competition, and the potential for increased revenue through investment.

 The Guidelines focus on both development of Experiences (coastal, outdoor activities, culture, entertainment and heritage and cuisine) and Infrastructure (roofed accommodations and campgrounds).  The Guidelines can be accessed through the following link: http://www.gnb.ca/0397/documents/2010-TDGuidelines-e.pdf.

New Brunswick's Provincial Parks 75th Anniversary:
To commemorate the 75th anniversary of New Brunswick’s Provincial Parks, acclaimed wildlife artist Robert Bateman has produced 3000 copies of his painting, Family Hike, which depicts a family experiencing and sharing the beauty of nature. Proceeds will support New Brunswick parks education and awareness programs and will also support the Robert Bateman Get to Know Program, which encourages young people to learn about the outdoors and wildlife. Copies of the print are available through Service New Brunswick.
* Many activities are being planned throughout every provincial park for the big birthday celebration. Don’t forget to check back for upcoming special events that the entire family is sure to enjoy.

The Experience Collection: 
The Product Development team has been working closely with operators who will be offering experiences as part of The Experience Collection during summer 2010.  Within the seven Experience Collection themed categories of Cuisine, Cultures and Customs, Child’s Play, Celebration, Comfort and Contemplation, Call of the Wild and Challenge, 110 experiences will be offered.  These experiences will be included in all Tourism and Parks’ marketing media and can be accessed through the following link: www.tourismnewbrunswick.ca.  We encourage you to check them out!

The New Brunswick Tourism Development Guidelines:
The  Product Development team, working closely with the Strategic Planning and Policy Branch, has recently completed the 2010 New Brunswick Tourism Development Guidelines. 

These Guidelines identify development priorities for the New Brunswick tourism industry and focus investment on these priorities.  These development priorities have been determined through current market research, and have been assessed against four key variables:  the potential for development of experiential tourism products, existing market demand for this type of experience, New Brunswick’s competitive advantage in providing this product relative to the competition, and the potential for increased revenue through investment.

 The Guidelines focus on both development of Experiences (coastal, outdoor activities, culture, entertainment and heritage and cuisine) and Infrastructure (roofed accommodations and campgrounds).  The Guidelines can be accessed through the following link: http://www.gnb.ca/0397/documents/2010-TDGuidelines-e.pdf.