Parks Canada pursues its goal to increase visitation at Forillon National Park of Canada
Gaspé (Quebec), January 28, 2013 -- Parks Canada will be displaying prominently, at the Québec Winter Carnival, the new oTENTik “Ready-to-Camp” tent, which will be available at the Forillon National Park of Canada as soon as next summer. The initiative falls within the scope of the measures taken to increase visitation at Forillon National Park.
Taking advantage of the influx of tourists during the Québec Winter Carnival, Parks Canada will be setting up an oTENTik tent in the Parc de L'Esplanade, located at the heart of Old Québec, and will provide animation at the Place Parcs Canada-Forillon in order to present this innovative product, from February 1 to February 17, to thousands of visitors who come to enjoy the winter festivities.
“It's a thrilling project. Thanks to the privileged access that participants will be given at the Québec Winter Carnival, we will have the opportunity to talk to them about something that is a passion for us, and, above all, to invite them to visit our park next summer,” explained the director of Forillon National Park, Stéphane Marchand. In addition, visitors will have the chance to participate in a contest that will provide the winner with a three-night stay at Forillon National Park in August 2013, as well as a VIP pass for the main activities offered at this unique park.
The oTENTik “Ready-to-Camp” tent, which will be first offered in the summer of 2013, allows families and residents of urban areas who wish to indulge easily in the joys of camping to benefit from an accessible camping experience. Ten units will be installed inside Forillon National Park.
In addition, Parks Canada will be promoting Forillon National Park through the popular television program Salut Bonjour Weekend, as the weather reports will be broadcasted live from the Place Parcs Canada-Forillon on Sunday, February 3, 2013.
“These initiatives are in addition to Parks Canada's participation in the popular Winter Carnival auction, where interested people will have the opportunity to bid in order to purchase a VIP trip to Forillon. It's another way for us to showcase our park,” explained Mr. Marchand.
The first Quebec park in Parks Canada’s network, Forillon National Park was created in 1970 and covers an area of almost 244 square kilometres. A major tourist attraction and an important economic generator in the Gaspé Peninsula, Forillon employs 135 people during the peak season and has invested 14 million dollars in various projects since 2008, with some of them aimed at improving the visitor experience.
For additional information, please see the accompanying backgrounder at parkscanada.gc.caunderMedia Room
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Information:
Michel Queenton
External Relations Manager
Gaspésie Field Unit
Telephone: 418-368-5592
www.twitter.com/ForillonNP
