International Exposure for Tour de la releve internationale de Rimouski Thanks to Government of Canada Support

RIMOUSKI, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - June 28, 2011) - 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 the awarding of $49,400 in non-repayable funding to the Association cycliste des régions de l'Est-du-Québec for the commercialization of the 2nd Tour de la relève internationale cycling event to be held in Rimouski from July 14 to 17, 2011. The funding has been granted under the Community Diversification program.

"The Government of Canada is proud to support the Tour de la relève internationale de Rimouski, a unique event in North America and Europe. The many promotional activities help put the Bas-Saint-Laurent region on the world tourism map," noted Minister Lebel.

The funding will be used for the production and distribution of television material, including promotional videos, as well as the creation of a website and promotion of the event outside Quebec. Daily vignettes will be aired on several North-American and European television networks giving journalists abroad an opportunity to discover the region's many attractions. The Association hopes these additional efforts to promote the event will double participation. The tourism spinoffs and job creation will be assessed as part of a study funded by Canada Economic Development.

Founded in 2009, the Association cycliste des régions de l'Est-du-Québec (ACREQ) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to promote cycling and support the development of cycling athletes.

For more about the Tour de la relève internationale de Rimouski: www.tourdelareleve.ca.

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