PCs say taking out the trash will help tourism

Paul Davis said if re-elected the PCs will keep pumping money into the tourism industry and introduce an anti-litter campaign.

CBC News Posted: Nov 16, 2015 10:41 AM EST | Last Updated: November 16, 2015

'We can't take the foot off the gas with tourism. We've got to continue to keep pushing, to keep promoting, to keep marketing and continue to build that industry,' said Davis. (Keith Burgess/CBC)

Paul Davis said if re-elected thePCs will keep pumping money into the tourism industry.

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The Conservative leader said Fridaykeeping Newfoundland and Labrador clean plays a big part in promotion and his partywillimplement a 'Pristine-NL' anti-littering campaign.

Continuedpromotion

Davis saidhis government would continue to work with groups like Hospitality NL to tap into new tourism markets and itwillcontinueinvesting in things like museums,roads and ferries to keep rural areas connected.

"Tourism is so important to our province and I think we've just began to scratch the surface when it come to tourism," said Davis.

"We also have to make that acknowledgment and plant that thought with people continually that it's important to pick up your garbage and your litter and to keep our province pristine."

Davis said,in2009, the PCs developed a 10-year strategyto growtourism. He added thatit was important tokeeptourism funding at its current level as an important part of creating asustainable economy.

"We want to make sure that we're continuing to drive.if we allow it to slide or lapse in anyway then we have to rebuild that," said Davis.

Trash plan

Making people understand that every gum wrapper that goes out the window ... adds to the problem and it paintsa picture of our province that we don't have pride in.- Paul Davis

Using an aggressive marketing campaign andpartnering with tourismgroups, Davis said his government'splanhas been very successful to date with over $1 billion in annual tourism spending. Acrackdown on littering can go hand in hand.

"We've got some of the deepest, most interesting culture, background and history. We've got beautiful landscapes and seascapes it is still a beautiful sight and it's still a beautiful province and we need to protect the province and we need everyone to be pulling oars together," said Davis.

The litter plan could include an ad campaign as well aschanges to the law and itsenforcement, but Davis saidfocus needs to be put on changing people's views and respecting the environment.

"Making people understand that every gum wrapper that goes out the window or every coffee cup;it adds to the problem and it paintsa picture of our province that we don't have pride in."