Quebec will invest an additional $214 million to support the growth of the tourism industry in 2023.
The Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, made the announcement in front of more than 600 delegates gathered at the Assises du tourisme, which take place Thursday at the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
Of this sum, $210 million will be distributed over three years to pursue the development of various tourist attractions in Quebec. This includes the renewal of the Support Program for the Development of Tourist Attractions, where $60 million will be available annually in the form of loans and loan guarantees.
Over the past five years, 146 projects have been supported by this program to the tune of $290 million.
The Tourism Industry Recovery Assistance Program is increased by $30 million. In doing so, its total budget reaches almost $270 million. On the eve of its second anniversary, this program has made it possible to financially support 91 projects.
In addition, $4 million has been allocated by the Minister to extend the Explore Québec on the road program, whose deadline has been postponed to March 31, 2025. The program budget therefore reaches $17 million for this year.
“The tourism industry is an important driver of economic development for Quebec. We believe in it, and that is why we are investing in it. We want to once again raise this sector to the list of Québec’s main export products, increase tourism spending by international visitors and double spending on business tourism,” the Minister declared.
“To do this, we are working with all of our partners, particularly within the framework of our annual meetings, in order to face the current challenges of the industry and to adopt a strategy for the sustainable growth of tourism in Quebec. . »
Focus on delegations abroad
To promote Quebec as a tourist destination, Minister Proulx and her colleague in International Relations and La Francophonie, Martine Biron, will rely on the general delegations that the province has abroad.
“Our delegates are dynamic people and they are very involved. In addition, they love Quebec very much,” underlined Minister Biron, to explain how these delegates are ambassadors of choice for the beautiful province.
“As the flagship of the French language in North America, Quebec has a lot to offer. With our impressive network of 34 representations in 19 countries, we will continue our efforts with the Ministry of Tourism to promote Quebec and its charms and make as many people as possible come and visit us,” she added. .
Aim for winter tourism
Quebec should welcome close to 100 million tourists in 2026, said Ms. Proulx. To maintain this growth, the elected official intends to bet on business tourism, mainly in the region, but also on winter tourism.
“The French are frequent travellers, they love Quebec, but we have to think about how to bring them back to another setting,” said the minister in an interview on the sidelines of the Assises.
“We don’t always think about it, but there is tourism north of 49e parallel, the First Nations, winter tourism, urban winter tourism”, she lists as attractions to put forward to attract visitors.
For example, continues Ms. Proulx, Mexicans and Brazilians are “loving winter” and “crazy about downhill skiing”.
The Minister of Tourism also sees American tourists in her soup. Although they account for only 10% of visitors to Québec, they nevertheless represent 20% of the tourism expenditure generated.
“Of the entire Canadian-American border, it is in Quebec that there are the most entries of American tourists, she recalled. If we only increase the volume of American tourists from the east coast who enter Quebec by 5%, we will already feel the effects. »
Last year, the tourism industry encompassed close to 23,500 businesses in Quebec, which represents 9% of all businesses in the province.
This dispatch was produced with the financial assistance of the Meta Exchange and The Canadian Press for the news.