The Gros Morne Co-operating Association is welcoming steps to help advance tourism in the area.

Yesterday, a combined $330,000 was announced from the provincial and federal governments to help boost sustainable tourism in the area and strengthen the seven communities within Gros Morne National Park.

The program builds upon ACOA’s Strategic Tourism for Areas and Regions program, which has provided a framework for tourism development in the area.

Shirley Montague, who represents the association, says she has been involved with a vision to unite the region as an “entity” for tourism. She feels they are now in a position where they can “grab on to something” and advance that vision.

She points to some goals identified in ACOA’s tourism program that they would like to see addressed.

They want to establish community values and growth strategies. She says towns need to review their municipal plans and growth strategies to determine what they want their communities to look like long-term.