Good news for Québec Aboriginal Tourism

WENDAKE, QC, Nov. 28, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - Québec Aboriginal Tourism held its Annual General Meeting 2012-2013 in the Mohawk territory on November 20. Members throughout Québec attended the meeting to learn about our initiatives, to network with partners of the aboriginal tourism industry and to elect the new Board of Directors.

Québec Aboriginal Tourism was warmly welcomed by the Mohawk community and seized the opportunity to present its development, marketing and communications initiatives. "We are very pleased to present the achievements of our organization, highlighted by a 60% increase in membership over the last three years and the establishment of strategic partnerships with the Québec Outfitters Federation (QOF), Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ), Société des établissements de plein air du Québec (SÉPAQ), Université du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue (UQAT) and Parks Canada. Aboriginal tourism is booming and we are proud to contribute while working closely with the other key players in the industry for the greater benefit of our communities", said Dave Laveau, Québec Aboriginal Tourism Executive Director since 2010. The Annual General Meeting was the appropriate platform to present our strong financial growth in the recent years and our positive financial statements.

New appointments to the Board of Directors
We are pleased to announce the appointment of the following new members as directors: Suzette Jeanotte, Co-owner of Auberge Le Mont-Calme in Gaspé, and Pierre Larouche, Reception & Activities Supervisor at Société de développement économique Ilnu (SDEI) in Mashteuiatsh. We would also like to mention the re-election of the following Board members: Michelle Bélanger, Director of the Musée des Abénakis in Odanak, Jean Picard, Director of The Indian Craftsmen of Québec, and Marc Plourde, QOF President and CEO. "We are proud to welcome two new aboriginal Nations on our board this year. We will benefit, once again, from the expertise and cultural wealth of a Board of Directors that is representative of the aboriginal nations of Québec and of the different business sectors in our industry," said Steeve Gros-Louis, Québec Aboriginal Tourism President.

2015 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference
Québec Aboriginal Tourism announced that it will host and organize the 2015 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference in spring. More than 300 aboriginal tourism industry representatives from Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand and South America are expected to attend this conference, putting our industry and its strong international growth in the limelight.

Prix Excellence Associé 2013
Through this annual award, AEQ acknowledges the work and efforts of its most meritorious partner. The official presentation of the Prix Excellence Associé 2013 was held at our AGM. Annie Lévesque, AEQ Marketing Manager, officially gave the award to Steeve Gros-Louis. Our organization won the award on November 5 for its remarkable growth over the recent years.

Québec Aboriginal Tourism in numbers
Each year, Quebec Aboriginal Tourism welcomes over 800,000 visitors, sustains 3,500 jobs and generates an estimated $169 million in economic benefits.

For more information on Québec Aboriginal Tourism and its members, please visit aboriginalquebec.com

Image with caption: "Québec Aboriginal Tourism (CNW Group/Tourisme Autochtone Québec)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20131128_C5970_PHOTO_EN_34059.jpg

SOURCE: Tourisme Autochtone Québec

Patricia Auclair, Communications Officer
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