Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism: $30 million to drive the future of tourism

Quebec City, February 25, 2021. – The Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, today unveiled the Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism, which aims to strengthen Quebec’s position as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations whose actions are focused on sustainable development.

With a budget of $30 million, this action plan is designed to encourage and support the adoption of innovative and sustainable practices by businesses and other key stakeholders in the tourism sector. The goal is to accelerate the transition toward a greener, more resilient form of tourism that is more closely connected to people and communities.

It is structured around five areas of focus:

• Support the transition to a circular economy ($6 million);
• Promote sustainable transportation (7.5 million dollars);
• Develop nature- and adventure-based tourism using an ecotourism approach ($1.5 million);
• Promote tourism that benefits individuals and respects communities ($7 million);
• Supporting businesses in adapting to and innovating in response to climate change ($8 million).

More than just a trend, responsible and sustainable tourism represents the future of tourism on a global scale. Through this plan, Quebec is committed to:

• to find concrete solutions to environmental challenges;
• to ensure that local communities benefit from the positive effects of tourism;
• to meet the expectations of a clientele that is increasingly environmentally conscious and seeking authentic travel experiences.

Quote:
“Thanks to its natural resources, its committed communities, and its expertise, Quebec has everything it needs to become a major destination that prioritizes responsible and sustainable tourism. To address the effects of climate change on the tourism industry and meet the needs of a clientele eager to enjoy more meaningful experiences while minimizing their ecological footprint, we must take meaningful action now. The health crisis we are currently facing is hurting our industry, but it can serve as a springboard toward a tourism recovery that is more mindful of the environment and our communities. In addition to promoting the sustainability and competitiveness of our destination, responsible and sustainable tourism will benefit all Quebecers. This action plan provides businesses and communities with the tools to accelerate the shift toward the tourism of tomorrow, and I am confident that they will join the movement.”

Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism

Highlights:

• The financial assistance, totaling $30 million, will be provided through 2025.
• Sustainable tourism is tourism that is ecologically and economically viable in the long term, as well as socially and ethically just. Responsible tourism, on the other hand, refers specifically to a context in which tourists avoid actions that could have negative effects on the natural and human environment of the places they visit.
• Quebec has many strengths that can help it strengthen its position as a destination focused on responsible and sustainable tourism. For example:
  • spectacular natural scenery, accessible through 27 Quebec national parks, a Quebec and Canada marine park, and more than 180 large regional and municipal parks;
  • a 1,100-kilometer-long river, tens of thousands of streams, and 3.6 million freshwater bodies;
  • 12,000 kilometers of bike paths;
  • distinctive, authentic, and welcoming regions, as well as 11 Indigenous nations with a wealth of knowledge and cultures to share;
  • a world-renowned cultural scene;
  • dynamic entrepreneurs and a thriving innovation ecosystem.

See:
Measures from the 2020–2025 Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism
2020–2025 Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism

Source:
Sandra O’Connor
Director of Communications
and Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism
Tel.: 514 820-0095
Email: sandra.oconnor@tourisme.gouv.qc.ca

For more information:
Jean-Manuel Téotonio
Media Relations Manager
Communications Department
Ministry of Tourism
Tel.: 418-643-5959, ext. 3488