Tourisme Montréal Signs Memorandum of Understanding with the Lyon Tourist Office and Convention Bureau

MONTRÉAL, June 17, 2016 /CNW Telbec/ - Just as Air Canada's first year-round direct flight from Montréal to Lyon is being inaugurated, Tourisme Montréal is announcing that, this morning in Lyon, it has signed a memorandum of understanding with the Lyon Tourist Office and Convention Bureau. The two cities have enjoyed close ties since signing a Friendship Agreement in 1979, and this relationship has only grown stronger over the years, with several missions being carried out to both Montréal and Lyon. Numerous business sectors, including tourism, constitute areas of opportunity for the two cities. 

The two tourism bureaus have agreed to work together on increasing inbound flights to their cities, with a view to boosting tourism numbers, and promoting bi-directional travel for culture and food tourism, as well as for business. They will also exchange ideas on issues such as performance indicators, statistics, welcome strategies and technology to improve their respective operating procedures.

"Adding direct flights to and from Lyon opens up excellent opportunities for Montréal. In addition to bringing in more tourists from this strategic market, this memorandum of understanding will allow Tourisme Montréal to learn more about how we can improve Montréal's appeal with enhanced tourist attractions," said Yves Lalumière, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. 

"Between 2013 and 2015, there was a 70% increase in the number of Canadians visiting the ONLYLYON Pavilion, and the direct flights between Lyon and Montréal are sure to bolster these numbers even more," said Jean-Michel Daclin, President of ONLYLYON Tourisme.

About Tourisme Montréal 
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position Montréal as a 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, visit www.mtl.org.

SOURCE Tourisme Montréal

Andrée-Anne Pelletier, Manager - Corporate Public Relations, Tourisme Montréal, 514-844-3344/514-264-1638, [email protected]