Minister Mélanie Joly announces a new investment for supporting tourism in Quebec

The Government of Canada awards more than $3.3 million in financial assistance to the Association touristique du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec to help promote Quebec on the Canadian and international markets

LA BAIE, QC, July 26, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The tourism sector is a major economic driver for our regions, especially here in Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean, supporting more than one in 10 jobs in the country. It contributes to such things as sustainable growth, diversifying the local economies and creating good jobs for Quebec's middle-class families, urban centres and regions. The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, unveiled a new strategy for the sector on May 21: Creating Middle Class Jobs:A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. This approach aims to bolster growth and diversify the sector through unique, new or enhanced experiences that are likely to increase the number of visitors to locations outside of Canada's three largest cities, namely Montréal, Toronto and Vancouver.

From that perspective, Minister Joly today announced financial contributions so that tourism businesses in Quebec and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean can develop more unique tourism experiences that will help them attract visitors from outside Quebec and from abroad. These contributions awarded by Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions are divided as follows:

The Association touristique régionale du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean (Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism) is receiving two separate financial assistance amounts. First, the organization is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $1.32 million over three years for continuing its mission, which involves enhancing the region's tourism drawing power. Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism will therefore be able to implement a marketing plan and develop the tourism offering in order to attract diverse client bases.

In addition, a non-repayable contribution of $1.2 million is awarded to that same organization for a collective inter-regional project, also three years long. The project aims to implement the marketing plan outside Quebec and internationally for the "Découvertes Aventure en plein air" experience led by Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism in partnership with 14 Quebec tourism organizations. It aligns with the desire of Quebec's tourism stakeholders to promote the practice of outdoor activities for clients outside Quebec and as a mean to extend their stay in the regions.

For the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec (the Alliance), it is being awarded $800,000 in non‑repayable financial assistance, which will enable it to develop and promote a new regional tourism offering with advantageous air access for international clients. The Alliance has also identified Air Canada as a partner in the project. This program will be implemented in a number of Quebec regions and aims to develop an attractive tourism offering to encourage more travellers to visit the regions. 

Through the Government of Canada's support for projects like those by Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism and the Alliance, Canadians and visitors will be able to discover or rediscover the attractions of Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean and experience tourism in Quebec's various urban centres.

Quotes

"We have seen many communities across the country transform their economies through tourism. The Saguenay‒Lac-Saint-Jean tourism community is very well organized, innovative and creative. In short, a leading example for the country in terms of tourism. The investments made by our government will help businesses in Saguenay‒Lac-Saint-Jean develop new products and unique tourism experiences that will enable the region to capitalize on global tourism growth, ensure a promising future for the communities and create good middle-class jobs."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

"The Government of Canada recognizes the remarkable work done by Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism in partnership with the Alliance for showcasing our beautiful region. It's important for our government to support the tourism sector, and I am convinced that this investment will have significant economic benefits for the entire region."

Richard Hébert, Member of Parliament for Lac-Saint-Jean

 "Tourism is a very important industry sector, and the Government of Canada is committed to making it profitable for everyone. By supporting projects like those of the Alliance and Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism, we are relying on the promotion of and globally competitive tourism drawing power of Quebec's regions in order to stimulate economic growth and create good jobs for middle-class families."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"We are pleased about this partnership with the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec and about the Government of Canada's participation. This project demonstrates the potential, for Quebec's regions, of Air Canada's growing network in Montreal, and Air Canada's commitment to contributing to the economic development of all the communities it serves. Since 2012, Air Canada has launched 35 new routes connecting regions to the world through its Montreal international hub, and we are thrilled to offer our international clients the opportunity to add an appealing stay in Quebec to their trips."

Ferio Pugliese, Senior Vice-President, Air Canada Express and Air Canada Government Relations

Quick facts

• Tourism accounts for 2% of Canada's gross domestic product and supports 1.8 million jobs in the country, including over 400,000 jobs in Quebec.
• The new federal tourism strategy will help create more than 54,000 jobs across the country and increase the economic benefits by more than 25%.
• Today's announcement is made on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for the Innovation, Science and Economic Development portfolio, which comprises 17 federal departments and agencies including CED and the other five regional development agencies.
• The funding for Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean Tourism was awarded under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program.
• The funding for the Alliance was awarded under the Canadian Experiences Fund (CEF), which supports Canadian companies and organizations that seek to create, enhance or promote tourism products, facilities or experiences. In Quebec, it is Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED) that implements the CEF.

Related link

• Tourism in Canada
  

Stay connected

• Keep up to date with Canadian tourism @cdntourism on Twitter and Instagram, and join the conversation using the hashtag #cdntourismjobs
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• Follow the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec on Twitter, LinkedIn and Facebook

SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions