Promotion of Quebec Tourism: Regional Tourism Associations (ATRs) and Sectoral Tourism Associations (ATSs) out to Conquer Foreign Markets

ALMA, QUEBEC--(Marketwired - May 29, 2015) - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that Quebec regional tourism associations (ATRs) and sectoral tourism associations (ATSs) will share over $28 million in funding for the implementation of their commercialization strategies.

This funding, granted in the form of non-repayable contributions totalling $28,095,416, is being awarded through CED's Quebec Economic Development Program.

Quick facts

• The 19 ATRs or ATR groupings will receive a total of $24,559,790, whereas the 7 ATSs will share $3,535,626.
• The contributions to each organization will serve for the implementation of commercialization plans on out-of-province or international markets.
• This funding from CED will enable the ATRs and ATSs to, among other things, take part in tourism fairs and shows, host visiting journalists, organize media and familiarization tours, and design and produce promotional materials and marketing tools for targeted products.
• The aim of these projects is to increase the number of tourists from elsewhere in Canada and abroad, thereby generating positive economic spinoffs in Quebec communities.

Quote

"By funding the projects of the ATRs and ATSs, the Government of Canada is demonstrating its commitment to promoting the growth of tourism, a profitable sector for the economy of Quebec's regions."

Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

Related document

See the accompanying backgrounder for details on these three projects.

Related link

http://www.saguenaylacsaintjean.ca

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BACKGROUNDER

Promotion of Quebec tourism: Regional tourism associations (ATRs) and sectoral tourism associations (ATSs) out to conquer foreign markets

Government of Canada renews support to Quebec ATRs and ATSs

Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Infrastructure, Communities and Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that Quebec regional tourism associations (ATRs) and sectoral tourism associations (ATSs) will share over $28 million in funding to ensure implementation of their commercialization strategies.

Note: An asterisk (*) indicates that the funding is contingent on the signing of a contribution agreement between CED and the organization.

ATR	Administrative region	Contribution amount (2015-2018)	Total project cost
*Office de Tourisme de Québec	Capitale-Nationale	$2,400,000	$17,440,700
Le Québec authentique	Mauricie Lanaudière	$1,510,000	$2,494,477
The Tourisme Mauricie and Tourisme Lanaudière ATRs have joined forces to carry out promotional, commercialization and communications activities to foster development of the tourism industry in both of their regions.
Le Québec maritime	Bas-Saint-Laurent Côte-Nord Gaspésie Îles-de-la-Madeleine	$3,900,000	$6,000,000
Le Québec maritime is a grouping of five ATRs (Bas-Saint-Laurent, Duplessis, Gaspésie, Îles-de-la-Madeleine and Manicouagan) dedicated to promoting tourism of four maritime regions on markets outside Quebec.
Tourisme Abitibi-Témiscamingue	Abitibi-Témiscamingue	$694,990	$1,995,042
*Tourisme Baie-James	Nord-du-Québec	$360,000	$1,680,000
Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est	Estrie	$1,425,000	$2,850,000
Tourisme Centre-du-Québec	Centre-du-Québec	$360,000	$720,000
Tourisme Charlevoix	Capitale-Nationale	$975,000	$1,950,000
Tourisme Chaudière-Appalaches	Chaudière-Appalaches	$499,800	$833,000
*Tourisme Laurentides	Laurentides	$2,550,000	$5,100,197
*Tourisme Montérégie	Montérégie	$300,000	$600,000
* Tourisme Montréal - Office des congrès et du tourisme du Grand Montréal (OCTGM)	Montréal and Laval	$6,000,000	$29,200,000
Tourisme Outaouais	Outaouais	$1,935,000	$3,870,000
Tourisme Saguenay−Lac-Saint-Jean	Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean	$1,650,000	$2,538,461

ATS	Organization mandate	Contribution amount (2015-2018)	Total project cost
Association des croisières du Saint-Laurent Inc.(ACSL)	The main mandate of the ACSL, which groups together some 26 members in nine ports of call along the St. Lawrence River, is to position the St. Lawrence as a major destination with cruise companies. It defines and coordinates development efforts and partner/port of call attributes in the aim of building the "Cruise the Saint Lawrence" brand and of attracting the greatest number of international cruise ships.	$480,000	$1,815,000
Aventure écotourisme Québec	Aventure écotourisme Québec ensures the quality and safety of its members' services by providing them with certification according to the strictest of standards. The association also works to develop and build a quality tourism offering in the adventure travel and ecotourism sector.	$320,000	$1,101,938
Quebec Outfitters Federation Inc.	The Quebec Outfitters Federation is mandated by the Government of Quebec to issue outfitter permits and rate establishments.	$1,500,000	$3,000,000
Kéroul	Kéroul's mission is to make tourism and culture accessible to people with restricted physical ability. To that end, the association promotes tourist attractions and events that offer accessibility by publicizing this information in brochures and on websites. It also trains tourism industry staff to help them better accommodate persons with limited physical abilities.	$150,000	$420,000
*Le regroupement pour la promotion du tourisme religieux et spirituel	The Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean ATR acts as project manager for this group. The Mauricie, Montréal and Québec ATRs are also among the group's partners, as are Saint Joseph's Oratory, Notre-Dame-du-Cap, Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré, Ermitage Saint-Antoine and Notre-Dame-de-Québec Basilica-Cathedral.	$299,626	$900,000
Société des attractions touristiques du Québec (SATQ)	The mission of the Société des attractions touristiques du Québec is to bring together and promote Quebec's festivals, events and tourist attractions, represent these sectors and offer services that enhance their development.	$501,000	$1,368,600
Quebec Aboriginal Tourism	Quebec Aboriginal Tourism brings together 110 active members of the tourism industry representing Quebec's 11 Aboriginal nations. Its aim is to provide Aboriginal tourism entrepreneurs with an organization that represents their interests. The organization also offers an array of products and services to promote the development and improve the business practices of their member enterprises and help them position themselves on tourism markets.	$285,000	$570,000

Summary

Total number of agreements:	21
Total contribution from CED:	$28,095,416
Total investment generated by these projects:	$86,447,415