Tourism became very important to the area after the creation of Gros Morne National Park in 1973. At the time, there was a lot of debate over its creation. The park could only be established if services were centralized, so financial compensation was offered to people in Woody Cove, Lobster Cove, Green Point, Belldowns Point, and Bakers Brook to move into the large communities of Cow Head, Norris Point and Rocky Harbour. Fishermen were still allowed to fish in the small shoreline communities in the summer, but could not live there year round. With the establishment of the park, came restrictions on hunting and woodcutting, which made some people upset. Today, the park is greatly appreciated, being a major aspect of the area's economy. With the almost complete collapse of the fishery in recent years, more people are becoming entrepreneurs in the tourist industry: setting up bed and breakfasts, craft stores, convenience stores and other tourist-related services.

Many think that tourism has only been known to this area since the park was established. The roots for tourism in the area sprouted way before that. Even as far back as the 1700's, British warships stopped in Bonne Bay to rest. In the 1850's, sportsmen came to fish and hunt. In the 1860's, adventurers and naturalists visited the area. William Henry Reeks, an English naturalist, stayed in Cow Head for 2 years and wrote about his experiences in British magazines during that decade.

In the late 1800's, Robert Edward Holloway, a famous Newfoundland photographer spent time photographing Bonne Bay and St. Paul's Inlet. These photographs exposed the rest of the island to the area's uniqueness. After 1920, coastal steamers and passenger ships brought more people to visit the area. Geologists and botanists from around the world became interested in the unique geology and plants in the area.

In the 1940's, Lee Wulff, a famous American sportsman established fishing camps at Western Brook and Portland Creek. After the road was built, the area became easier to access, and more people began to visit. In 1959, the first discussions were held about setting up some sort of park in the area. With the area's rocky economic past, tourism was considered to be a possible stable resource for people.

Today, Gros Morne National Park is nationally and internationally recognized. In 1987, it became a World Heritage Site by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural organization (UNESCO).