Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador is looking forward to sitting down with the new Premier and Tourism Minister to discuss ongoing issues of importance to the province’s lucrative tourism industry.

Tourism generates approximately $1.4 billion to the local economy each year, and employs 20,000 people under 2,800 businesses in every corner of the province.

Chair of Hospitality NL’s Board of Directors, John Devereaux – who was coached by Tony Wakeham as a basketball player – says air access, infrastructure, product development and season extension remain among their top priorities.

“We’re at the point now that everyone wants to come in June, July, August, but now we’ve got to extend it to September, October, even November.” She says visitors are starting to come as early as April and May to see icebergs.