Rock solid idea

It seems that communities along the southwest coast have finally agreed on a brand to use in marketing strategies.

The 'Granite Coast' isn't a bad moniker. It's solid, inclusive and certainly descriptive. It's easy to say, to remember and the possibilities of how to use it in marketing materials are seemingly endless.

Consultants and tourism folk have been saying for years that grouping communities and attractions together is key in drawing visitors and making the most out of their time here. More time equals more money left in the area.

Putting the new name to good use will be the next step.

While numbers of visitors at places like the Rose Blanche Lighthouse and the Harvey Trail are going up each year, a good marketing plan to draw attention to what the coast has to offer will throw a little gasoline on those sparks.

The nearly one-hour drive from the ferry to the end of Route 470 wouldn't seem daunting to a tourist if they knew of all the things they could see and do along the way. Touring the 'Granite Coast' seems like part of the adventure instead of vacation time wasted to get to your destination.

Working together under one banner is also likely to make plans more attractive to funding agencies at both the provincial and federal levels where regionalization and cooperation are buzz words often used as keys to unlock funding. Governments seem more likely to say yes to ideas that are inclusive and benefit several communities.

Branding an area seems to have brought good things to other places - think of the familiarity of the Irish Loop or Nova Scotia's Cabot Trail. Tourists are drawn to those areas as destinations in themselves.

Using a brand to help increase awareness of this area only makes sense and should help grow the tourism industry into a rock solid employer.