July 29, 2015
Province Invests in Francophone Tourism
The Manitoba government will invest $243,900 to promote francophone tourism attractions and experiences, Tourism, Culture, Heritage, Sport and Consumer Protection Minister Ron Lemieux announced today.
“Our francophone tourist and cultural attractions draw thousands of visitors from around the globe, creating jobs and stimulating economic growth,” said Minister Lemieux. “This investment will help showcase our francophone heritage and traditions, and help related organizations and businesses share our unique story.”
The Economic Development Council for Manitoba Bilingual Municipalities (CDEM) will receive $172,100, with $71,800 going to Tourisme Riel, a division of Entreprises Riel.
The funding will support CDEM’s goals to:
- provide training in business development, marketing and planning;
- develop new tourism packages to draw visitors to Manitoba’s 17 bilingual municipalities;
- assist tourism organizations and businesses to prepare business plans, feasibility studies and grant proposals; and
- promote all attractions in the region.
“We are pleased to receive funding to support our efforts to promote tourism in Manitoba’s bilingual municipalities, to further develop and improve new products and position Manitoba through strategic representation and participation out of province,” said Louis Allain, executive director, CDEM. “Our partnership with the Manitoba government gives a significant boost to the added value of bilingual services and products in the province.”
Tourisme Riel’s planned activities include:
- offering tourism information services year round in St. Boniface and seasonally in St. Norbert;
- promoting all attractions in the Riel region;
- supporting growth in the tourism sector by developing new products and packages; and
- creating and nurturing partnerships in the Riel region including partnering with Tourism Winnipeg and Travel Manitoba.
“Our statistics show a continued increase in tourism offerings, in visitors and visitor spending, and in the demand for francophone products which extend beyond the boundaries of the Riel region,” said Norm Gousseau, chief executive officer, Entreprises Riel. “Tourisme Riel appreciates this financial assistance as it helps us to further increase visitor spending by providing tourism services and products to the francophone markets as well as to anyone interested in the unique cultural characteristics and offerings of our region.”
CDEM, established in 1996, is an economic development council whose role is to stimulate, encourage and co-ordinate economic development in Manitoba’s 17 bilingual municipalities. Through its tourism component, CDEM develops and promotes the value of French language and culture to Manitoba’s tourism industry and economy, showcasing bilingual municipalities and the Franco-Manitoban heritage.
Entreprises Riel, launched in 1998, is an economic development and destination marketing and tourism product development agency. It promotes the added value of French language in business and tourism in the Riel district of the city of Winnipeg, which includes the communities of St. Boniface, St. Norbert and St. Vital. Entreprises Riel’s board of directors include corporate leaders from all three communities.
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