Promoting Acadian Culture to Visitors
News release
Governments expand awareness and opportunities for Acadian and Francophone tourism experiences
June 1, 2018 – Abram-Village, PE – Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
In 2017, Canadians welcomed a record of 20.8 million international visitors to our shores. The tourism industry is vibrant from coast to coast to coast, as one in 10 jobs in Canada is associated with the visitor economy. Investing in tourism in both big cities and small towns throughout Atlantic Canada is essential to growing this important economic sector for Canadians. By investing in our tourism sector, we attract new visitors, grow local businesses and help create new ones, generating economic growth.
From Souris to North Rustico to the Evangeline region, communities have been built around rich Acadian traditions, and powerful stories of resilience and creativity that will be shared with visitors. That is why the federal and provincial governments are investing more than $158,000 in resources to help further develop authentic Acadian products, experiences and events.
To celebrate Tourism Week, Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont, on behalf of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA), and the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, along with the Honourable Chris Palmer, PEI Minister of Economic Development and Tourism, today announced support for L'Association touristique Évangeline (ATÉ) and Le Village musical acadien.
ATÉ is a not-for-profit organization that works closely with Le Village musical acadien, an interactive attraction showcasing Acadian music and culture, and l'Exposition agricole et le Festival acadien, an annual four-day agricultural exhibition and celebration of Acadian culture and heritage, to develop and promote Acadian tourism in PEI.
ATÉ is receiving a non-repayable contribution of $73,495 through ACOA’s Innovative Communities Fund to support collaborative marketing and product development initiatives for the three organizations. The Province of PEI is providing $19,835. Le Village musical acadien is also receiving a $50,000 non-repayable contribution through ACOA’s Business Development Program to support capital improvements. The Province of PEI is investing $15,000 in the project.
These investments build on commitments made by the Government of Canada and the four Atlantic Provinces to drive economic growth in the region through the Atlantic Growth Strategy by helping the region’s tourism industry attract more visitors and create new jobs across the region. This bold new approach is in line with Canada’s Tourism Vision, which seeks to make Canada a top-ten global tourism destination by 2025.
Today’s announcement comes as Canada celebrates Tourism Week from May 27 to June 2, 2018.
Quotes
“Tourism is an important economic driver in communities from coast to coast to coast. The Government of Canada is committed to supporting our talented local entrepreneurs. Atlantic Canada’s incredibly rich cultures, history and natural beauty are at the heart of many of the tourist attractions across the region, which our government recognizes as important contributors to our economy. Our government is proud to support projects like these with L'Association touristique Évangeline and Le Village musical acadien, which will enhance the cultural experience of visitors and create economic growth in the region.”
The Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism
“The rich history and continuing story of Acadian people is immensely important to PEI. Many prominent Islanders are proud ambassadors of their Acadian roots. The music and cuisine and traditions bring Islanders together and charm visitors from across the globe. I’m pleased to see a newly developed tourism strategy and dedicated resources to give visitors a greater opportunity to experience the influence of Acadian culture in communities across PEI.”
Bobby Morrissey, Member of Parliament for Egmont
“Our Acadian communities have so much to offer visitors to the Island. Their rich culture, with its distinct music, storytelling and artisanal traditions offer visitors an opportunity to immerse themselves in an authentic and completely unique Island experience. These investments align with our efforts to increase the variety of unique experiences available to visitors from all over the world.”
The Honourable Chris Palmer, Minister of Economic Development and Tourism
“This funding will allow the three organizations to work collaboratively and hire an employee to further develop and promote the Acadian tourism product across the province.”
Marcel Bernard, President, L’Association touristique Évangeline and Co-President, Centre Expo-Festival Center Ltd.
Contacts
Chris Brooks
Director of Communications
Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency
902-566-7569
Andrew Sprague
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Economic Development and Tourism
902-368-5535
Wayne MacKinnon
Senior Communications Officer
Department of Rural and Regional Development
902-314-3407
Marcel Bernard
L’Association touristique Évangeline and Centre Expo-Festival Center Ltd.
902-854-3409