Entente de partenariat régional en tourisme - Le développement touristique et numérique en plein essor au nord du 49e parallèle grâce à une aide financière de près de 820 000 $
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Government announcement
11 July 2018

Tourism Development is Booming North of the 49th Parallel Thanks to Almost $820,000 in Funding

Entente de partenariat régional en tourisme - Le développement touristique et numérique en plein essor au nord du 49e parallèle grâce à une aide financière de près de 820 000 $

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Partnership Agreement in Tourism

CHIBOUGAMAU, QC, July 11, 2018 – To encourage the development of both tourism and access to digital technologies north of the 49th parallel, the Government of Quebec, Tourisme Baie-James-Bay and Tourisme Eeyou Istchee announce the awarding of $817,800 of financial support to numerous key organizations in the region. This funding will support nine tourism projects as well as help tourism sector businesses recognize digital development challenges they face in digital development project delivery.

That was announced by the MNA for Ungava, Mr. Jean Boucher, on behalf of the Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie region, Ms. Julie Boulet, the Director General of Tourisme Eeyou Istchee, Ms. Robin McGinley, as well as the Director General of Tourisme Baie-James, Mr. Mitchell Dion.

A sum of $637 800 comes from the ententes de partenariat régional en tourisme (EPRT). Added to that is a sum of $125,000 for James-Bay Tourism and another $55,000 to Eyyou Istchee Tourism from the Entente de développement numérique des entreprises touristiques (EDNET).

 Quotes:

The government of Quebec’s investment aims to combine the Ministry of Tourism’s actions with those of regional tourism associations and other partners, to carry our projects to develop the regional tourism sector’s offer, which will contribute to attracting more visitors to Quebec.  This complicity encourages productive partnerships, and this announcement is proof of that. With fierce competition, we have to constantly renew our offer and ensure it is complementary to activities undertaken in each of Quebec’s promising niche sectors. I firmly believe that, by focusing on original products, we will be able to fulfill expectations of visitors from here or abroad and stand out from other destinations.

– Julie Boulet, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Mauricie Region

I am thrilled that our government has made investments that aim to support organizations and businesses who want to actively contribute to the development of tourism and digital technologies in their region. North of the 49th parallel is a magnificent place to discover, and more and more travellers are choosing Nordic destinations for their uniqueness. I am sure that these new attractions will attract even more visitors and will galvanize our economy.

– Jean Boucher, MNA for Ungava

I am so pleased by today’s announcement. This important investment in the development of the tourism offer in Eeyou Istchee brings us even closer to our goal of making Eeyou Istchee Baie-James a world calibre destination. I would like to thank our partners, the Ministry of Tourism, the Société de développement de la Baie-James and the Cree Nation Government for their constant support in the development of the destination’s tourism potential. I am sure that these investments, which will benefit Auberge Mistissini, Nibiischii Corporation, the Mistissini Pow‑Wow, the Mistissini Cree Nation, as well as the Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association, will bring even more tourists here. In addition, I would like to thank the Government of Quebec for the contribution of $55,000 which will enhance the presence of digital technologies among Cree businesses.

– Robin McGinley, Director General of Tourisme Eeyou Istchee

Digital technologies are becoming increasingly present in the tourism experience throughout the world, as they can influence travellers before, during and after their trip. I am delighted by the $125,000 of funding which will provide unique occasions for our members to stand out on the digital and technological plans so as to reach other parts of the market. I salute the Ministry of tourism’s momentum; they are a key partner and their initiative has made today’s announcement possible. I am also very pleased about the announcement of financial assistance aimed at major tourism products through the Entente de partenariat régional en tourisme and I would like to underscore that over $460,000 is still available until 2020 to support tourism initiatives in our region.

– Mitchell Dion, directeur général de Tourisme Baie-James

The Société de développement de la Baie-James is happy to be a part of this partnership agreement with other industry stakeholders. Like them, we believe in our region’s ability to fully develop this sector’s potential, which with time will represent one of the pillars our regional prosperity.

– Alain Coulombe, directeur général adjoint au développement économique à la Société de développement de la Baie-James

By being a part of the Regional Partnership Agreement for Tourism, Administration régionale Baie-James has shown the importance we attach to tourism for the region’s socio-economic development. Our organization is proud to support so many projects which contribute to the potential for tourism development here in Baie-James. The ARBJ cannot help but highlight the special partnership with Tourisme Baie-James, which has greatly contributed to our region’s influence. In addition to signalling the region’s interest in maintaining access to quality tourism, this announcement will surely stimulate new projects which will help our region to be better known throughout Quebec.

– René Dubé, President, Administration régionale Baie-James

The Cree Nation Government welcomes this tangible assistance for Cree tourism initiatives. A number of Cree tourism stakeholders will be able to use this funding to expand and improve upon their services, which will benefit the economic, cultural and social development of local Cree communities as well as the Cree Nation as a whole.

– Mandy Gull, Deputy Grand Chief/Vice Chairperson, Cree Nation Government

Quick Facts:

The financial assistance from the EPRT is divided as follows:

Organizations – Eeyou Istchee

Cree Outfitting and Tourism Association
Completion of a « ready-to-camp » accommodations project that will be inspired by Cree culture and architecture.
$47,800

Auberge Mistissini
Improvements to rooms, expansion of the business centre improvement to outdoor infrastructures and digital technologies.
$131,000

Nibiischii Corporation
Improvements to infrastructures, equipment and services in order enhance the quality of visitors’ experience and revitalize the Réserve faunique des lacs Albanel Mistassini-et-Waconichi’s image.
$134,500

Mistissini Pow-Wow Commitee
Support for the 2018 edition of the Mistissini Niimuuhiikan Pow-Wow.
$31,500

Mistissini Cree Nation
Improvements to infrastructure for fishing clientele and replacement of the energy systems by renewable energy systems in the Pourvoirie Osprey and Louis-Jolliet.
$180,000

Organizations -Baie-James

Attractions Boréales Baie-James
Support for a northern tourism company which offers various sled-dog expedition trips with accommodations.
$45,000 $

Club MX Chibougamau
Support for the 2018 «  Challenge sur glace » including an oval track on bare ground.
$19,000

Festival du doré Baie-James (James Bay Walleye Festival)
Support for the 2018 edition of the James Bay Walleye Festival to improve the tournament’s logistics and enrich the cultural aspect.
$26,000

City of Chibougamau
Support for the 218 edition of the Festival en août.
$23,000

  • Recall that in 2017 the Ministry of Tourism renewed the EPRT with Tourisme Eeyou Istchee, the Société de développement de la Baie-James and the Cree Nation Government for over $1,100,000, an agreement that is in effect until 2020. According to the terms of the agreement, the Ministry of Tourism and Tourisme Eeyou Istchee will each invest $455,000.
  • The Ministry of Tourism also renewed the EPRT with Tourisme Baie-James, the Société de développement de la Baie-James and the Administration régionale Baie-James for over $700,000 $ until 2020. According to the terms of this agreement the Ministry of Tourism and Tourisme Baie-James will jointly invest $417,000.
  • The EDNET is part of orientation 5 of Quebec’s Digital strategy so that all Quebec business can enhance their digital intensity by 50% over the next 5 years. It also contributes to meeting the tourism performance objectives set out in the Plan de développement de l’industrie touristique 2012-2020 and its 2016-2020 Action Plan.
  • The Quebec Government’s investment will in particular encourage job creation, an increase in the number of visitors and tourism spending in the region.