UQAM's Tourism Intelligence Network will step up its action with Quebec's tourism companies

The Government of Canada awards over $1.2 million in financial assistance to UQAM's Tourism Intelligence Network of the Transat Chair in Tourism

MONTREAL, July 15, 2019 /CNW Telbec/ - Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)

The mission of the Tourism Intelligence Network (TIN) is to support companies in Quebec's tourism industry in order to increase their competitiveness and drive innovation. To help maintain its momentum, it will receive a non-repayable contribution of $1,266,000 from Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions. With that financial assistance, the organization will continue contributing to the development and growth of the tourism industry in Quebec.

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, announced that funding today. The Government of Canada's assistance will specifically help fund part of the operating costs of the Tourism Intelligence Network. This will enable it to provide adequate support to companies in terms of guidance, analysis of issues and recent trends in the industry, and decision-making support with the aim of promoting innovation for a more competitive tourism sector.

Created in 2004, the TIN is part of the Transat Chair in Tourism of the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM). For nearly 15 years, the TIM has developed an effective knowledge ecosystem enabling companies to become better equipped to perform. The TIN's operations will directly benefit more than 100 companies.

The funding awarded to the Tourism Intelligence Network will feed the strategy called Creating Middle Class Jobs: A Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, unveiled by Minister Joly on May 21. It aims to stimulate growth and diversify the sector through unique, new or enhanced experiences that have the potential to attract tourists year-round, in all regions. The tourism sector is a major economic driver throughout the country, supporting one out of 10 jobs. It contributes to sustainable growth and creates good jobs for middle-class families both in major centres and in communities.

Quotes

"We have seen many communities in Quebec and elsewhere in Canada transform their economies through tourism and create good jobs for middle-class families. We support those who work in the sector to give Quebec companies the tools for developing new tourism products and doing promotion in order to make Canada a tourism destination of choice."

The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie

"Tourism is a very important industry sector, and the Government of Canada is committed to making it profitable for everyone. By supporting organizations like the Tourism Intelligence Network, we are drawing on expertise for the promotion of and competitive tourism drawing power of Quebec's regions in order to stimulate economic growth and create good jobs for middle-class families."

The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister responsible for CED

"The UQAM's Transat Chair in Tourism and its Intelligence Network make knowledge and leading-edge expertise available to the Quebec tourism industry. New markets, key industry issues, consumer needs and expectations are just a few of the Network's research subjects, which demonstrate the major challenges in this industry. I would like to sincerely thank Canada Economic Development for its renewed financial support, which is enabling the Intelligence Network to strengthen its action and carry out innovative projects in support of the tourism sector."

Magda Fusaro, Rector of UQAM

Quick facts

• Tourism accounts for 2% of Canada's gross domestic product and supports 1.8 million jobs in the country.
• The funding was awarded under CED's Quebec Economic Development Program. To find out more about CED and its priorities, see the 2019-2020 Departmental Plan or visit www.dec-ced.gc.ca.
• The Tourism Intelligence Network, created by the Transat Chair in Tourism at the Université du Québec à Montréal (UQAM) has the mission of identifying new global trends and innovative practices in tourism, with the aim of assisting managers of this industry in Quebec. The Network is an essential source of information for the Quebec tourism industry.

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SOURCE Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions

Ricky Landry, Director of Communications, Office of the Minister of Tourism, Official Languages and La Francophonie, [email protected]; Media Relations, Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions, Phone: [phone], Email: [email protected]