Two regional businesses earn gold and silver at the national gala of the 2010
edition of the Grands Prix du tourisme québécois

MONTREAL, May 14 /CNW Telbec/ - Two regional laureates were awarded top honours on May 7 at the Palais des congrès de Montréal during the national gala of the prestigious Grands Prix du tourisme québécois, an event that has recognized the superlative effort and dynamism of Québec tourist industry professionals and artisans for the past 25 years.

In the presence of Nicole Ménard, Québec Minister of Tourism, 61 businesses and individuals from across the province were recognized throughout the evening, thus attesting to the excellence of Québec's tourism offering.

Two winners from the Montréal region - Pointe-à-Callière, Montréal Museum of Archaeology and History and Authentik Canada - were awarded gold and silver in their respective categories of "Tourist Attractions -100 000 visitors and more" and "Transportation and Travel." As regional laureates automatically advance to the provincial round of the competition, all of the regional Grand Prix du tourisme winners recognized last March 24 were in attendance at the national gala.

Tourisme Montréal warmly congratulates the two national winners as well as the regional laureates, who, thanks to their professionalism and the quality of their services, contribute largely to Montréal's success as an international tourist destination. In addition, the organization would like to applaud two of its members - the Granby Zoo, which garnered a silver award for the Eastern Townships region in the "Tourist Attractions -100 000 visitors and more" category, and the Festival international de Lanaudière for recently obtaining the Certification Qualité Tourisme du ministère du Tourisme du Québec - as well as the Société du Vieux-Port de Montréal, also certified by the Ministère.

Since its inception in 1985, the Grands Prix du tourisme québécois has brought Québec's excellence and innovation with regards to accommodation, agro-tourism, gastronomy, events, attractions, transportation and services to the forefront of the tourist elite, as well as highlighting the quality and importance of the tourism industry in Québec's economy.

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 further information: Pierre Bellerose, Vice President, Public Relations, Product Research and Development, Tourisme Montréal, [phone], [email protected]