News Release

DOAKTOWN (GNB) – The provincial government hosted a second Economic Opportunities Summit for the tourism industry Thursday, focusing on plans to grow the sector.

“New Brunswickers have told us that they want our number one focus to be on job creation and economic growth,” said Premier Brian Gallant. “The tourism industry plays a major role in your government’s economic vision.”

The tourism industry is an important job creator in the province, employing more than 42,000 people and contributing $522 million annually to the provincial GDP. The industry has also been identified as one of 12 opportunities for growth in the New Brunswick Economic Growth Plan. In fact, three of the key opportunities included in the plan are tourism-related.

The summit drew representatives from across the province, including those from Parks Canada, Road to Sea Guided Tours, and the Games of La Francophonie.

“The province’s recommitment to maximizing the potential of our tourism industry was clearly evident at the summit,” said Dave Seabrook, director of growth and community strategies for the City of Fredericton. “Engaging industry leaders on a bold, new, aggressive tourism strategy is critical. There is lots of passion in the room and a new energy to change the way we do business.”

The event was held as part of a second round of Economic Opportunities Summits taking place throughout the province to identify new prospects for job creation and economic growth.

The tourism industry is an important job creator, employing more than 42,000 people in New Brunswick, and it contributes more than $520 million annually to the provincial GDP. The budget for the Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture increased by 17.6 per cent this year. In addition, a capital investment of $75 million will be made over the next three years for upgrades to assets of cultural and historic significance.