A local tourism operator says tourists from around the world regularly remark on how easy it is to access natural areas in this province.

Jared Clarke of Bird the Rock says Newfoundland and Labrador has a real advantage over many areas in how close some of our largest centres are to world-class wilderness experiences.

A few years ago Clarke organized a Fam Tour for people from all over North America to familiarize them with some of the natural wonders in and around St. John’s.

The reponse, says Clarke, was overwhelming.

What he kept hearing, was how amazed his guests were to wake up in their hotel room in the city and 30 minutes later be seeing puffins.