MONTREAL, Nov. 14, 2012 /CNW Telbec/ - After 11 full days of culinary festivities, the inaugural edition of TASTE MTL, presented by the SAQ, came to a close this past November 11. Thanks to reasonably-priced table d'hôte menus ($19, $29 and $39 respectively) offered in over 100 restaurants across the city and various gastronomy-themed activities, this Tourisme Montréal initiative effectively warmed the hearts of local and visiting epicureans alike. A highly successful traffic driver to participating establishments, the event also received vast media and social network coverage.
Normally a quiet time of year, the beginning of this November proved to be anything but for these 100 or so restaurateurs involved in TASTE MTL. In fact, according to the Web reservation platform Open Table, most restaurants have benefitted from a major increase in reservations compared to the same period in previous years.
"We are absolutely thrilled with the success of this first edition! Much more than an event, we hope to have created a new fall tradition in the city. TASTE MTL has proved to be a winning recipe for everyone: restaurateurs enjoy increased patronage and gourmets from here and abroad enjoy discovering fine Montréal tables," underlines the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal.
"In the past eight years, I've never had so many calls and reservations! As I'm sure that other participating restaurateurs will agree, TASTE MTL sparked record sales for this time of year," confirms Harry Marciano of Taza Flores, a tapas bar located at the heart of the Mile End district.
"For us, the event worked like a charm! We had a full house every evening, even during the week," adds Sylvie Lachance, owner of the Van Horne restaurant in Outremont.
Part of the Célébrations SAQ event, TASTE MTL presented a host of activities centred around gastronomy. As such, VDM Global organized five different culinary tours in a happy hour format and many epicureans participated in these outings, which criss-crossed the city during TASTE MTL. Furthermore, Mont-Royal Avenue hosted candle-lit suppers in six participating restaurants over both event weekends.
As part of its ongoing effort to promote Montréal as a leading gastronomic destination, the Tourisme Montréal team welcomed some 20 local and international journalists during press events organized especially for TASTE MTL. Consequently, Montréal's first Restaurant Week enjoyed significant coverage in both the media and in social networks that extended all the way to California. As for the TASTE MTL website, it received more than 140 000 visitors since it was launched last spring.
Coming back in November 2013!
Following the great success of this first edition, the event will return next November 2013 (dates to be announced). Until then, stay up-to-date on the latest news with the TASTE MTL website or follow the event on Facebook and Twitter, with the hashtag #TASTEMTL.
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, please visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.
SOURCE: TOURISME MONTREAL
Alexandra Graveline
Manager - Corporate Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
514 844-3558
[email protected]
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