Winnipeg Free Press

Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - April 18, 1981, Winnipeg, Manitoba 1o Winnipeg free press saturday april 18, 1981 Jerry press million tourism goal by Jack Francis with its promotion budget increased to about million from last year s travel Manitoba has launched a program to encourage business to put some practical hospitality behind the Friendly Manitoba Good to see you image successfully developed from previous programs. Tourism minister j. Frank Johnston told the few press that the recently announced provincial budget fulfilled his need of More dollars for tourism with a 27 per cent increase going into promotion. On thursday his department launched its new hospitality plus pro Gram to help earn projected tourism Revenue of million this year up 11.7 per cent from 1980 s total of million. If it happens it will be the third consecutive year of real growth in Manitoba tourism receipts Johnston noted. A breakdown of figures indicates japanese exports Rise Tokyo a the Tempo of Japan s exports to the european eco nomic Community picked up in March going up 35.s per cent from a year earlier to billion the finance ministry says. Imports meanwhile Rose 31.7 per cent to million in the month. The level of exports in March accelerated from a 22.6 per cent increase in february. But equally noteworthy was a fast increase in imports from the area. The 31.7 per cent decline the prior month and was considerably faster than the Pace in recent months when it had been around 20 per cent. Million is expected to come from non resident visitors while Manitoban travelling in the province will add More than million. Last year visitors from outside the province Rose to 2.9 million from 2.7 million in 1979. This positive trend will probably Contin with increased tourist traffic from both Canadian and . Points expected Johnston added. Tourism is the fastest growing Busi Ness in the province and already the fourth largest with employees in the hospitality and related Busin esses and spin off activity important to the whole but it in t going to come near its potential without real hospitality what All visitors Are really looking for matter what their individual interests and reasons for coming Here May be he said. We All have a big responsibility to prove the slogan Friendly Manitoba and employees in the hospitality Busin esses have the most Contact and the Best Johnston told tourist Industry leaders in a briefing at the Winnipeg convention Centre. Darlene Barker of travel Manitoba advised business and Community Lead ers they could make use of the new hospitality plus program by using the educational kit telling How to help employees become Goodwill ambassadors and by inviting the department s tour ism team to visit with a presentation and Pep talk on hospitality. The kit includes information on what to expect from tourists How to train staff upgrade services and suggestions on How to promote and advertise products and services to the tourist Market. Johnston said All people working where they come in Contact with Visi tors will determine the impression the latter take away with them and whether or not they return or recommend such a visit to others. Que. Economy seen strongest Johnstone prime lending rate could hit 20% by end of year. Less gasoline Ottawa up Canadian motorists Are using less gasoline says a preliminary report of gasoline sales to retailers released this week by Statis tics Canada. The Federal Agency says sales dropped five per cent in february from the same period a year ago to 2.8 million cubic metres. By Chris Smith canadians have less Confidence in the Economy this year than last the executive vice president of Canadian acceptance corp. Said in Winnipeg this week. And the prime lending rate could i 20 per cent by the end of the year or Early next year with inflation in the Western world almost out of control and with balance of Trade problems Jim Johnstone said in an interview. The Cost of lending Money has to increase As does the Cost of any commodity he said and inflation wages and production costs have been in creasing at 10 to 12 per cent annually. The National Energy program dry weather on the Prairies strikes in British Columbia and a slowdown in Ontario s secondary Industry Are All contributing to that reduced Confidence in the Economy Johnstone said. The maritime surprisingly Are enjoying better times and the econ omy is stronger in Quebec hum any where in the country right John Stone added. Manitoba s Economy has been relatively Flat Over the past few years he said but the company is predicting a 20-per-Cem increase in business Over last year a prediction borne out by the first four months experience. The provincial Economy will obviously Benefit if much talked about projects such As renewed Northern Hydro development Potash mining Oil exploration and production and the construction of an aluminium smelter come to pass. Johnstone said. Those projects would mean a gradual healthy growth for the province giving people More Confidence in the Economy in general said Roger Lem Merick cac local ice president. It would have to be something pretty drastic to create a Boom in Manito Johnstone said but added thai the gradual growth is preferable because it can be sustained Over a longer period. What that would mean is More secondary Industry in the province a better mix of Industry and in creased capital spending by others be cause of a More buoyant Economy in general Johnstone said. Cac s Industrial division does million to million in volume in Manitoba annually said Johnstone Here for the official opening of the division s new offices. The bread and butter of our Indus trial financing and leasing business is which accounts for 60 per cent of the division s volume he said. Provincial and municipal govern ments Are becoming a Market fur cac. Johnstone said but the preponderance of our business is private Sec one of the keys of our Success is our he said a willingness to take a look at any tangible for Sale Energy crisis can mean Golden Opportunity Light business in Winnipeg operating for Over 20 years with Well established product line and excellent Export potential. Co. Has recently completed product packaging development program. Rising Energy prices have created Sharp increase in demand and potential sales in next 5 years could exceed million with outstanding return. Co. Now requires marketing and management input to realize its full potential. Owner leaving province to tend other interests. Open to joint venture or Purchase in s135.000 Range All replies Are confidential to Box 1904 free press Sheet Metal mfg. Co. Ltd. Over 50 years of experience in custom Sheet Metal individual items or production runs we Are equipped to do your Job for you busking formik6 shearing stamping welding. Etc. 725 Century St. 775-2581 a. E. Lepage e Sale Leader South Central Branch manufacturers wanted Prairies Ltd. Realtor a medium sized Manitoba assembling firm is seeking Canadian manufacturers to Supply a wide variety of parts As Well As some sub Assembly work. A show of these requirements will be held april 20th through 24th at the Winnipeg Enterprise develop ment Centre 329 Nia Kwa Road kiddie Corner from the years paid annually expect Strong support from the firm. For information Contact guaranteed term investments Joseph Drummond 255-9603 or 943-6935 Winnipeg 286 slim St 204 942-5515 years of progressive spirit we re proud of our past and excited about our future pc construction Ltd in i ;