April showers bring May flowers! - On the occasion of the major festivals season launch, RÉMI and FAME are making an appeal to the federal government Français
MONTREAL, May 28, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - In an appeal made on the occasion of the season launch, the Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux (RÉMI) and Festivals and Major Events (FAME) invite the Government of Canada to complement their recent efforts for destination marketing and access by investing in the development of our tourist offering through the creation of a program dedicated to the growth of the events industry. To this end, FAME suggests using part of the 150th anniversary budget allocation to start a permanent fund.
Keeping in mind that international tourism is a pie which is getting bigger and bigger literally in front of our eyes, the associations would like to point out the significant economic benefits. They also point to other jurisdictions in the world that invest in the events industry. In the United Kingdom, the public revenue share going to British Arts Festival Association members is as high as 28% while RÉMI and FAME members are only subsidized at around 15%-16% (depending on the province). The Canadian government's share, through cultural programs or start-up assistance, currently only represents around 4% and has fallen by about 8% since the end of the Marquee Tourism Events Program in 2011.
Last November, the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers' meeting established the growth of Canada's tourism offerings as a field for action. The ministers agreed to explore the possibilities of collaborating with festivals and events.
Québec Government
RÉMI members are delighted by the renewed support from Québec Tourism Minister Julie Boulet, who in January announced an additional $35 million over five years for all festivals and events in the province. This year, the allocation for the Programme d'aide financière aux festivals et événements touristiques should increase from around $15 million to more than $21 million.
Quotations from the board chair and the CEO
"In the current context, where the number of international tourists is expected to increase from 1 billion to 1.8 by 2030, we can't just sit around and do nothing. We must act at all levels to increase our market share. We're happy to be able to count on the Québec government and we hope to obtain the Canadian government's support in the near future to make major events even more attractive to tourists," says RÉMI Board Chair Louise Beaudoin.
"In addition to their positive social and cultural benefits, festivals and events act as very appealing products to help market destinations. They help turn vague intentions to travel to Canada into concrete plans to attend not-to-be-missed events.In 2009, we estimated that a group of 15 major events on their own would generate more than a billion dollars in spending and the creation of $650 million for the country's GDP. It has also been established since then that each dollar invested by governments in festivals brings two and a half times more in tax revenues and incidental taxes," points out RÉMI CEO and FAME Executive Director Martin Roy.
Additional information
- The "Towards a new federal program" video: youtu.be/ATVONXvp8BE
- The appeal to the federal government: remi.qc.ca/en/appeal_federal_government
- The Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux is active in Québec with 27 members, the list of which can be found here: remi.qc.ca/en/members/
- Twenty-two events in seven provinces are FAME members: bit.ly/2qllWaF
- In 2015, RÉMI made public a study conducted by KPMG called "Développer le plein potentiel touristique et économiques des événements majeurs internationaux un levier essentiel à la création de richesse" (Developing the full tourism and economic potential of major international events, an essential tool for creating wealth): bit.ly/2qjZuyL
- The 2009 FAME study on the economic impact of 15 events: bit.ly/2qX0RaN
SOURCE Regroupement des événements majeurs internationaux (RÉMI)
Sean Malle, [email protected], 416-602-9772
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