WENDAKE, QC, March 26, 2015 /CNW Telbec/- Nearly 350 aboriginal tourism industry key players and partners, half of whom came from abroad, were gathered in Fairmont Le Château Frontenac for the first International Aboriginal Tourism Conference (IATC) held in Quebec on March 24-25 to discuss the global aboriginal tourism industry and reward the province's aboriginal tourism enterprises
Under the honorary presidency of AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard, the two-day conference addressed themes such as commitment, authenticity, preferred destinations, marketing, best practices in tourism and more. Forty top speakers and global leaders from the aboriginal tourism industry took part in this major event. During the grand opening ceremony, Quebec's Minister of Tourism, Dominique Vien congratulated Quebec Aboriginal Tourism (QAT) for the leadership demonstrated in organizing this international conference. QAT President, Steeve Wadohandik Gros-Louis, indicated a lot of satisfaction as regards the wider scope taken by this major event and its impact on the association and on the global aboriginal tourism industry.
"The high level of participation exceeded all our objectives in terms of exchange with our peers from other provinces and countries, and added to our pride in welcoming on our lands these delegates and strategic players from the world over, all gathered for the emergence and development of aboriginal tourism enterprises around the world. Tiawenhk, our thanks to all participants and organizations who accepted our invitation," said Steeve Wadohandik Gros-Louis.
The 2015 Quebec Aboriginal Tourism Awards
Through the Traditions Night held in Wendake, the IATC also showcased the dynamism of Quebec's local aboriginal tourism industry. An Entrepreneurship Recognition Gala for aboriginal tourism in Quebec closed the IATC in pomp and style. Eleven awards were presented to the province's enterprises and outstanding people in recognition of their contribution in delivering an exceptional, high-quality tourism experience. The Gala was held under the honorary co-chairmanship of Hon. Maxime Bernier – Minister of State for Small Business, Tourism and Agriculture, Geoffrey Kelley – Quebec's Minister of Aboriginal Affairs, and AFNQL Chief Ghislain Picard, to celebrate and highlight the success, efforts and dynamism of our rapidly-growing industry.
"Tonight, we are all winners – the organizers of this conference which I was honoured to preside over, key players of the tourism industry from everywhere and recipients of the Recognition Awards. The award winners hail from a diversity of regions and Nations. This strongly underlines the vitality and presence of the First Nations and their contribution to Quebec's tourism industry and economic development. We are proud of this and our culture is more alive than ever," stated Ghislain Picard.
And the winners are…
Quebec Aboriginal Tourism would like to thank all the winners and nominees of the Entrepreneurship Recognition Gala for aboriginal tourism.
Artists and Craftsmen Award – (Tied winners)
Eruoma Awashish and Sandokwa dance troupe
Boutique/Shop Award
Plumes et Pacotilles
Cultural Centre/Interpretation Site/Museum Award
Musée des Abénakis
Top Event Award
First Peoples Festival
Best Accommodation Award
Hôtel-Musée Premières Nations
Marketing Award
Nunavik Creations
Nature/Adventure Award
Matakan Site
Outfitter Award
Essipit Outfitters
Restaurant/Gastronomy Award
La Traite Restaurant - Hôtel Musée Premières Nations
Human Resources Award
André Mowatt
Outstanding Industry Partner Award
Quebec Outfitters Federation
About aboriginal tourism in Quebec
Each year, Aboriginal Quebec welcomes over 816,000 visitors, sustains 3,500 jobs and generates an estimated $169 million in economic benefits.
Quebec Aboriginal Tourism represents more than 100 aboriginal tourism enterprises and Band Councils from all Nations in the province. Visit aboriginalquebec.com for more information, presentations of the IATC and pictures of our events (coming soon).
Source:http://www.tourismeautochtone.com/
SOURCE Quebec Aboriginal Tourism
Image with caption: "Quebec Aboriginal Tourism (CNW Group/Quebec Aboriginal Tourism)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20150326_C4530_PHOTO_EN_13625.jpg
Patricia Auclair, Communications Officer, Quebec Aboriginal Tourism, [email protected] or 418-254-5067
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