Saint-Félicien, Quebec, May 19, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today marked the launch of the 10th season of the Véloroute des Bleuets by announcing the awarding of $72,142 in non-repayable funding to Circuit cyclable “Tour du Lac-Saint-Jean” Inc. The organization will use $15,500 of this contribution, awarded through the Community Diversification program, to develop its 2010-2015 strategic plan and $56,642 to implement the CYCLOGUIDE/GPS system.
“Regional development stakeholders are unanimous in their recognition of the Véloroute des Bleuets as an undeniable tourist attraction that benefits—and promises to even further benefit—the businesses established around Lac Saint-Jean. The financial assistance granted to these two projects by Canada Economic Development is sure to have an important lever effect on the region’s tourism. Indeed, both initiatives should help increase the number of foreign visitors to the region and generate considerable economic spinoffs,” noted the Minister of State.
The only cycling network of its kind in North America, the Véloroute des Bleuets has a number of distinctive features, including its 256-kilometre closed-loop, largely-flat bicycle trail circling Lac Saint-Jean that is suitable to cyclists of all ages and skill levels, as well as its breathtaking landscapes and diverse tourist attractions bordering the circuit. The CYCLOGUIDE/GPS will provide cyclists with quick and easy access to a wide range of details on these attractions and the many services available along the bicycle trail.
“Establishing the five-year strategic plan will help strengthen the Véloroute’s position as a world-class tourism product, while implementing the CYCLOGUIDE/GPS system can only bring numerous benefits to the inns, restaurants and other points of interest located along the trail. I am convinced that the 15 municipalities neighbouring the Véloroute will enjoy better socioeconomic prospects as a direct result of these two projects,” Mr. Lebel concluded.
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Sources:
Éléonore Côté
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-668-5928 or 1-800-463-9808
E-mail: eleonore.cote@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
