Fundy Guild working to generate new tourism opportunities

Investments in tourism strategy and initiative to promote mountain biking will draw more visitors to the region

Atlantic Canada's tourism industry is vital to the region's economy and supports thousands of local jobs and businesses. That is why the Government of Canada is investing to help Fundy Guild Inc. (more commonly known as The Friends of Fundy) create greater tourism opportunities in Atlantic Canada.

Governments support tourism in the region

Today, the Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe, on behalf of the Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA, along with the Honourable Bruce Fitch, Minister of Social Development, on behalf of the Province of New brunswick, announced a total investment of more than $832,000 in two projects to help Fundy Guild Inc. attract more visitors to the Fundy region, and promote mountain biking experiences across Atlantic Canada.

The funding will help the non-profit organization position Atlantic Canada as a top-tier mountain biking destination, and promote other unique visitor experiences. The support will also allow Fundy Guild Inc. to develop a strategic tourism plan for the Fundy region.

Today's announcement further demonstrates the Government of Canada's commitment to help the tourism sector come back strong from the pandemic downturn and prepare for future economic growth.

"Tourism is vital to our economy. Investments like the ones announced today help our tourism partners create new opportunities for communities, businesses, and operators, positioning the industry - and the region - for a swift recovery."

- The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Economic Development and Official Languages and Minister responsible for ACOA

"Congratulations to everyone at the Fundy Guild for their efforts to create new tourism opportunities and help showcase the world-class beauty and tourism offerings we have in Atlantic Canada."

- The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Member of Parliament for Moncton-Riverview-Dieppe

"The Department of Tourism, Heritage and Culture has recognized in its strategic planning that each region is unique and requires a customized approach when developing their tourism plans. To succeed, industry leaders and community stakeholders need to be informed, engaged, connected and supported, which is what Friends of Fundy will do. We are happy to support the collaborative efforts to bring together the Upper Bay of Fundy Region to prepare for travel to the region in the years to come."

- The Honourable Bruce Fitch, Minister of Social Development, on behalf of the Honourable Tammy Scott-Wallace, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture

"Friends of Fundy is grateful for the support of both our Provincial and Federal partners and their ability to see the opportunity in investing in collaborative and community led approaches to destination development. We believe that great experiences come from great communities - whether that be a large region of small rural communities spanning 200 km or many small MTB communities spanning 4 Atlantic provinces. When community stewardship and pride of place are at the core of destination development and communities are supported to collaborate on what is most important to them environmentally, culturally, and economically, they will develop and share world class experiences to visitors from near and far."

- Micha Fardy, Executive Director, Fundy Guild Inc.

• The Friends of Fundy, incorporated as the Fundy Guild Inc., is a non-profit charitable organization that works to increase public awareness and enjoyment of the natural and cultural heritage of the Fundy National Park and increase engagement in the surrounding area.

• The Mountain Bike Atlantic project involves the second phase of an initiative to promote mountain biking assets and amenities, as well as unique experiences offered in Atlantic Canada, to an international audience. The Government of Canada contributed a non-repayable contribution of $437,783.

• The Rural Upper Bay of Fundy Destination project is to develop a strategic tourism plan for the Fundy region to generate new sources of revenue for the tourism sector. The plan will focus on aligning and integrating approaches taking place in communities throughout the Fundy region. The Government of Canada contributed a non-repayable contribution of $296,175, while the Province of New Brunswick invested $98,725.

• Both Mountain Bike Atlantic and the Rural Upper Bay of Fundy Destination Development project are community based and community driven. The role of Friends of Fundy in these initaitives is to convene, create conditions for collaboration and support knowledge sharing and access to information throughout the resepective regions. As the administrator of these project dollars, the organization is guided by the experience and expertise of the community partners.

• The federal funding announced today is provided through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency's (ACOA) Regional Economic Growth through Innovation program, which supports projects that promote sustainable community economic development, enhance business development and growth, and facilitate innovation.

• One of the key measures in Budget 2021 includes revitalizing Canada's tourism sector through $1 billion to help tourism businesses recover and support festivals and cultural events that provide jobs and growth in many of our cities and communities.