Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador

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HNL Participates in Marine Atlantic Stakeholder meeting with Federal Minister

October 16th, 2009 – Bruce Sparkes, Chair of Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL), along with other Marine Atlantic stakeholders met with the Honourable Rob Merrifield, Minister of State (Transport) responsible for Marine Atlantic today. The Minister invited stakeholder groups to deliver a short presentation on their needs and requirements for the Marine Atlantic ferry service.

“We’re hopeful that the federal government is listening to the issues stakeholder groups have brought forth and by holding this meeting today, it would appear so,” Mr. Sparkes comments. “I was pleased with the representation from industry at the meeting. Everyone came prepared to comment on the issues that have been holding us back, such as capacity and reliability, poor service delivery and rising costs just to name a few. For the most part, we were all on the same page and I think an impact was made.”

In recent months HNL has petitioned the federal government to pay urgent attention to the continuation of the fleet renewal strategy.

“The need for improved vessels and improved customer service is of paramount importance to deliver on the needs and expectations of the resident and non-resident markets,” Mr. Sparkes continues. The tourism industry relies very heavily on the ferry service and it cannot afford to endure another season without major improvements. To achieve this, a significant investment must be made and it must be made now.”

Marine Atlantic is a federal Crown corporation that provides a constitutionally mandated passenger and commercial marine transportation system between Newfoundland and Nova Scotia.

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Media Contact:

Lynn Taylor, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
P: 709-722-2224, ext: 22 or 1-800-563-0700
C: 709-691-0444
E: ltaylor@hnl.ca