QUÉBEC, March 7, 2017 /CNW Telbec/ - The Québec Port Authority (QPA) won the 2016 "Best Destination Experience," a prize awarded annually by the prestigious Cruise Insight magazine. The QPA was awarded the coveted prize one week prior to Seatrade Cruise Global, to be held in Fort Lauderdale from March 13 to 15. Seatrade Cruise Global is the cruise industry's biggest conference of the year.
This distinction is awarded to the ports rated most highly by passengers. Cruise lines vote for the 10 ports, among hundreds of potential destinations worldwide, that receive accolades from their customers for their experience at a destination. Québec was included among the prestigious circle of cruise ship passengers' favourite ports, along with nine other renowned recipients, namely St. Petersburg (Russia), Osaka (Japan), Hong Kong (China) and Geiranger Fjord (Norway).
"We share this award with all of the stakeholders who help make cruises a success in Québec. Note that since the international cruise forum, government stakeholders, the City of Québec, businesses and all of our other partners have shown their unyielding commitment to continue developing the cruise industry in Québec. Our partners are more motivated and involved than ever before. This award shows that cruise ship passengers are responsive to and enthusiastic about our efforts," said Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Québec Port Authority.
Cruise forum yields tangible results
In February 2014, the QPA, in partnership with Québec City Tourism, brought together key actors from the cruise industry to take stock of important progress made in the last several years, identify avenues for improvement to maintain this strong economic sector in Québec and prioritize actions set in place to remain an industry leader. This unifying event allowed all cruise industry actors to agree on means to ensure longstanding continued success.
Growth that benefits the region's economy
The cruise ship industry contributes significantly to tourism and the economy in the Québec region. According to a study from the Ministère du Tourisme du Québec, the international cruise ship industry represents direct spending of $329 per destination passenger and $111 per stopover passenger in the Capitale-Nationale region. In 2016, the Port welcomed more than 150,000 visitors via 102 stopovers by 27 different ships.
SOURCE Administration portuaire de Québec
Marie-Andrée Blanchet, Advisor, Public Relations and Events, Québec Port Authority, 418-648-3640, [email protected]
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