King's Point -
David Hayashida, co-owner of King's Point Pottery, is blunt in his assessment of the provincial government's new highway signage policy.
Tourist operators are suffering amidst the global recession, he said, and the new policy isn't helping.
The policy was announced April 22 by Tourism Minister Clyde Jackman. Business owners had to take down any signs that were erected without a permit or that failed to meet the new signage requirements.
The signs of business owners who did not comply were removed.
The provincial government set aside $400,000 to enforce the policy throughout the province.
Hayashida said the policy could not have come at a worse time.
"Tourism operators that I have talked to say that their business is down by 30 to 50 per cent," he said.
"This is a devastating figure, as it would be for any business. They really have only two months to run their business, and most are only making enough to keep open for next year. To put this policy in place right at the start of the summer tourism season just doesn't make any sense."
In June, Hayashida called CBC Radio's "Crosstalk," when the show's guest was Premier Danny Williams, to comment on the negative effect the policy is having on tourism operators in central Newfoundland.
Hayashida argued the old-style signs are necessary, saying the biggest complaint tourists who explore the central region have is that they can't find tourist attractions.
He said for his business, several signs are needed to guide people from the Trans-Canada Highway down two lengthy stretches of road. Such signs can be expensive to create and maintain.
He said anyone who had signs made before the new policy was implemented experienced a loss at the onset of the season.
Hayashida said many business owners have removed their signs for fear they would be taken down and destroyed.
"It's adding extra stress to them, which they especially don't need right now," he said.
He thinks the government should allow - and perhaps even encourage - more tourist signage.
