Mirabel, Quebec, June 22, 2010 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of State for Canada Economic Development, today announced that the Association touristique des Laurentides Inc. (ATL) will receive $2,550,000 in non-repayable funding to implement its commercialization plan. This financial support has been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Community Development program.
The 700-member strong ATL, a preferred partner of Canada Economic Development's Laval-Laurentides-Lanaudière Business Office, has developed a three-year strategy, ending in 2012, aimed at domestic and international markets. Building on nine years of efforts by the ATL, the strategy has met with considerable success: between 2001 and 2007, the annual number of tourists from outside Quebec increased by 187,000.
"The Canadian economy is showing signs of recovery, and tourism development is precisely one of the options that will improve economic conditions. In the Laurentides, the tourism industry, which employs 16,000 people, is unquestionably a pillar of the regional economy. We lend our financial support to enterprises that come together to present an integrated offering on the international market, because this strategy translates into a greater increase in tourists from abroad and is right in line with our interventions," explained Minister of State Lebel.
Tourism is a Canada Economic Development priority for action, not only because of the economic benefits it generates but also because it is an important asset for diversifying the region's economy.
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Sources:
Isabelle Beaudin
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-6714
E-mail: isabelle.beaudin@dec-ced.gc.ca
Ève Cardinal
Special Assistant, Communications
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 819-997-3319
E-mail: eve.cardinal@dec-ced.gc.ca
