$10 Million Fund – Minister Caroline Proulx Announces the Launch of a Call for Proposals to Boost International Business Tourism

QUEBEC CITY,Oct. 30, 2023/CNW/ –^{Caroline Proulx}, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region, is launching today the first call for projects to develop international business tourism, through a fund with a budget of 10 million dollars.

Announced last February by the minister, the Fund to Boost International Business Tourism aims to strengthen Quebec’s international position in the business tourism sector. With its global expertise, Quebec is recognized as a top destination for this type of tourism. Its various regions also feature state-of-the-art facilities, such as the Quebec City Convention Center, the Montreal Convention Center, and others, which facilitate events that combine business and leisure, with the goal of extending the length of visitors’ stays.

This fund therefore aims to stimulate business tourism in Quebec by supporting the hosting of international events, which will help increase regional economic benefits in a sustainable manner, promote Quebec abroad, support areas of excellence, and encourage financial commitment from partners.

Business tourism, a government priority, has significant economic implications for Quebec. An action plan is currently being developed and will be unveiled soon.

Tourisme Laval the fund with the support of a steering committee composed of representatives from the industry and the Ministry of Tourism.

Quotes:

“We are prioritizing the development of this sector, in particular, to ensure sustainable growth in tourism in Quebec. I would like to point out that business travelers spend, on average, twice as much as leisure travelers. They also help drive year-round tourism, in addition to boosting the economic vitality of the regions, promoting them, and enhancing Quebec’s international profile.”

Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region

Tourisme Laval fullyTourisme Laval the scope of the mandate entrusted to it and expresses its gratitude to the Ministry of Tourism for this large-scale initiative. Far beyond the economic benefits, international business events bring lasting social and intellectual benefits that enrich not only the destinations but also the communities that host them.In collaboration with thesteering committee, we are committed to making every effort to maximize the positive impact of this fund throughout Quebec.”

Maïthé Levasseur, Chair of the Steering Committee of the Fund to Boost International Business Tourism

Highlights:

• Components 1 and 2 are designed to provide financial support to stakeholders in the business events sector to help them develop business plans and bid proposals, as well as to carry out business development activities.
• The minimum cost of a project is$10,000, andthe maximum grant awarded under each of the two components is $50,000. A single applicant may receive a maximum cumulative grant of $200,000 for all of their projects funded under Components 1 and 2.
• Organizations wishing to submit an application are encouraged to review the applicant's guide and familiarize themselves with the required documents on the program'swebpage.
• Phase 3, which will be launched later this fall, will provide support for the implementation of incentives designed to attract major international business events to Quebec.
• The program ends on March 31, 2026.
• Business Travel by the Numbers:
  • For the Montréal Convention Center and the Québec City Convention Center alone, business tourism accounted for a total of 563 events and some 1.3 million participants/visitors in 2018–2019, at the peak of its activity, generating more than 363,000 overnight stays.
  • Duringthat same period, the economic impact was estimated at nearly 327 million dollars. A significant portion (136 million) of this came from outside Quebec: 25% for the Québec City Convention Center and 73% for the Montréal Convention Center.
  • Also in 2018–2019, other regions of Quebec contributed to the growth of the business events industry. Looking solely at the intra-Quebec market, these regions hosted nearly 3,500 events and 617,000 participants. These events generated $664 million in direct spending in local economies.

Related link:

Program webpage

Ministry of Tourism on social media:

X (Twitter),Facebook,LinkedIn,YouTube

SOURCE: Office of the Minister of Tourism

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Source:
Brigitte Roussy,
Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Tourism and Minister Responsible for the Lanaudière Region
Tel.: 514 248-0160
brigitte.roussy@tourisme.gouv.qc.ca

For more information:
Jean-Manuel Téotonio,
Media Relations Manager, Communications Division, Ministry of Tourism
Tel.: 418-643-5959, ext. 3488
jean-manuel.teotonio@tourisme.gouv.qc.ca

Hélène Vézina
Director – Communications and Marketing, Tourisme Laval
Tel.: 450 682-5522, ext. 105
Cell: 514 261-9893
hvezina@tourismelaval.com