Government of Canada Grants Funding to Diversify Tourism Offering in Perce

PERCÉ, QUÉBEC--(Marketwire - June 18, 2012) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that the City of Percé received funding to develop a historical and heritage multimedia tour for Canadian and foreign tourists visiting the region.

"By lending its financial support to the City of Percé's project, the Government of Canada is demonstrating its firm commitment to promoting the development of tourism, a high-yield sector for the economy," said Minister Lebel.

The Gaspésie region, with its beautiful landscapes and numerous attractions like Percé Rock, has long been a major draw for nature lovers and outdoor enthusiasts. To diversify its tourism offering, the City of Percé decided to innovate and today inaugurated a new history circuit supported by a mobile application for smart phones, an audio guide and a map identifying some 40 sites that showcase Percé's rich natural and cultural heritage. The tour, which is offered in three languages, is sure to appeal as much to cruise passengers as to the thousands of Canadian and foreign tourists who make their way to the peninsula every year.

Information:

This $109,896 in non-repayable funding has been granted through the Support Initiative for International Cruise Development on the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, a measure provided for under Canada's Economic Action Plan adopted in January 2009. In 2012, Gaspésie is expected to welcome some 20 cruise ships carrying more than 40,000 passengers and crew.

For more on Canada's Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.

Keep up with the latest news from Canada Economic Development by visiting www.dec-ced.gc.ca or subscribing to @CanEconDev on Twitter.