Trois-Rivières, Quebec, January 31, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced the awarding of contributions totalling $2,185,000 to two Quebec regional tourism associations (ATR), the Associations touristiques régionales de la Mauricie and de la Lanaudière , and to Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc Inc. This financial assistance will enable the three organizations to increase their respective regions' drawing power for international tourists.
Mauricie and Lanaudière regional tourism associations
Canada Economic Development is supporting the coordinated efforts of the Mauricie and Lanaudière regional tourism associations with $1,510,000 in non-repayable funding. Awarded under the Community Diversification program, this funding will support the two organizations in implementing a joint commercialization strategy on foreign markets through to 2012.
The two ATR will focus their efforts on promoting distinctive products common to both regions, such as nature, adventure and four-season outdoor tourism, as well as gastronomy, health and well-being, snowmobiling and festivals. Deployment of this commercialization strategy will necessitate for an overall investment of nearly $2.3 million over three years and will result in the creation of three new jobs.
“In times of economic downturn, tourism can help turn the tide, as it were. In Mauricie, as in Lanaudière, this crucial economic sector offers promising growth prospects. In these two regions, there are currently nearly 2,300 enterprises and organizations operating in this sector, providing jobs to some 12,700 people,” explained the Minister of State.
The commercialization strategy established by the associations and the tourism enterprises they represent focuses on the United States and French-speaking Europe. It consists of placing advertisements in the media, organizing press tours, participating in international trade fairs and developing a solid and effective presence on the World Wide Web.
Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc
Located in Saint-Alexis-des-Monts on 3500 hectares of private land, Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc has, since 1994, welcomed adventure lovers in a splendid natural setting; 53% of its clientele come from abroad. Awarded under the Community Adjustment Fund, the $675,000 repayable contribution from Canada Economic Development will enable the outfitter to build an aqua health centre as well as a new building comprising 10 luxury rooms as well as meeting rooms. This project represents an overall investment of $2.5 million.
“In January 2009, our government introduced Canada's Economic Action Plan, a large-scale measure aimed not only at bringing about our rapid economic recovery but also at laying the foundations for solid, long-term economic growth and job creation. Pourvoirie du Lac Blanc's project meets the criteria of this initiative because its completion will result in the creation of 15 sustainable jobs and the employment of 10 individuals for the duration of the work,” explained the Minister of State.
For more on Canada's Economic Action Plan, see www.actionplan.gc.ca .
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Sources:
Lyne Montpellier
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-371-5182
Cell.: 819-386-4317
E-mail: lyne.montpellier@dec-ced.gc.ca
Simon Bachand
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 613-996-6236
E-mail: simon.bachand@dec-ced.gc.ca
