CORNER BROOK — The visitor information centre in Corner Brook has long been utilized by tourists and guests of the area, but Keith Goulding wants local people to take advantage of service.
The City of Corner Brook and The Greater Corner Brook Board of Trade inked a 10-year agreement late last year to operate the facility located at 11 Confederation Dr. The arrangement includes a focus on the Corner Brook tourism product and local business community, alongside information from the western region and beyond.
The president of the board of trade said early traffic and inquiries at the centre point to a busy tourist season. He wants to ensure seasonal staff are aware of the happenings in the area.
There are 15 cruise ships scheduled to dock in Corner Brook this year, bringing in approximately 25,000 visitors. Goulding said the visitor information centre has been getting inquiries from some of those passengers looking to fill out their itinerary for their stay.
"We are trying to get information from the different tourism operators as to what is there to do," he said. "We would like to build an agenda or calendar to show the different activities and things happening around Corner Brook this summer.
"It is important to get that information out to the people who are planning to come here, like these cruise ship passengers. We want to make sure they have a good time."
It is vital for staff to readily have that information available to direct tourists throughout the city and area. Goulding encourages people to get details of their events and operations to them.
The events can also be a source of activities for local people, said the president.
"There's lots to do in your backyard," he said. "You don't have to travel far afield to have good experiences. Get out on a boat tour in the Bay of Islands, take in a festival, there is musical playing all summer long at the local restaurants.
"For the businesses, they have to talk about it and show off and do a good job of promoting yourselves. If you don't people are not going to show up. By all means, use the VIC (visitor information centre). We want to be used."
