Cap-aux-Meules, Quebec, November 28, 2011 – The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that the Corporation de développement des Îles-de-la-Madeleine has been granted financial assistance for the promotion over the next two years of Îles-de-la-Madeleine as a choice destination for cruise ships.
“The Government of Canada decided to lend its support to the Corporation because of the active role this organization plays in stimulating cruise tourism—an important lever of the regional economy—on the archipelago,” said Minister Lebel.
The mandate of the Corporation de développement des Îles-de-la-Madeleine includes, among other things, developing cruise tourism in the area by promoting the key features for which Îles-de-la-Madeleine is best known: the hospitality of its residents, beauty of its landscapes and richness of its heritage. The organization works with regional economic and tourism industry stakeholders to bolster the drawing power of the islands and diversify the tourism offering for cruise passengers. As part of its new project, the Corporation has adopted a commercialization strategy centred on participation in trade shows and targeted sales missions as well as on the production of various marketing tools for cruise companies, including a promotional video and advertisements in specialty magazines.
Information:
This $276,867 in non-repayable funding has been granted through the Support Initiative for International Cruise Development along the St. Lawrence and Saguenay Rivers, a measure provided for under Canada's Economic Action Plan. Cruise tourism is a priority development sector for the Gaspésie and Îles-de-la-Madeleine economy. Since 2009, Canada Economic Development has awarded more than a half-million dollars in funding to the Corporation de développement des Îles-de-la-Madeleine. This year, Cap-aux-Meules welcomed six ships from three different cruise lines, together carrying more than 2,000 passengers and crew members, to its port. Forecasts for 2012 look equally positive.
For more on Canada’s Economic Action Plan, visit www.actionplan.gc.ca.
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Sources:
Karina Gagnon
Communications
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 418-368-6048 or 1-866-368-0044
E-mail: karina.gagnon@dec-ced.gc.c
Pierre Floréa
Press Secretary
Office of the Honourable Denis Lebel
Canada Economic Development
Tel.: 514-496-1282
E-mail: pierre.florea@tc.gc.ca
