Mr. Jean-Louis Bedard, Chairman of the Board, and Ms. Andree Courteau, Executive Director, of Tourisme Laval unveiled the largest campaign in the history of Laval`s tourist industry, a…
Mr. Jean-Louis Bedard, Chairman of the Board, and Ms. Andree Courteau, Executive Director, of Tourisme Laval unveiled the largest campaign in the history of Laval`s tourist industry, a one million dollar investment.
Over the past years, the Laval tourist industry has grown remarkably and the results we achieved in 2005 make our region a major player in Quebec`s overall tourist industry, declared Mr. Jean-Louis Bedard. In 2005, Laval welcomed nearly 600,000 visitors with revenues attaining nearly 140 million dollars.
The 189 organizations who chose Laval last year to hold their conventions or major events contributed to making Laval number one among all Quebec tourism regions for hotel occupation rates for the seventh straight year. Laval hotel capacity has reached 1600 rooms.
In order to build on this success, Tourism Laval has revised its strategic plan to comply with the Quebec tourism ministry`s orientations. The organization is presenting the Laval tourism region under a completely new signature.
To develop the tourism reflex, we decided to launch a strong, young, exciting, and region-focused campaign, noted Executive Director Andree Courteau. The approach we retained will foster partnerships and we have already reached five in the past few weeks. Through these agreements, Tourisme Laval`s investment of one million dollars will ensure much greater reach and economic spinoffs.
The initial partners in the new communications campaign are Laval Technopole, the Chambre de commerce et d`industrie de Laval, the Laval Cosmodome and Space Camp, the Societe de transport de Laval and Eco-Nature, the organization that manages the Parc-de-la-Riviere-des-Mille-Iles.
Laval has become a technological research and development centre that attracts an increasing number of companies and research centres, particularly in health sciences, said Pierre Belanger, General Manager of the Laval Technopole. For all companies based on the knowledge economy, the quality of the environment and the professional surroundings are crucial for attracting and retaining manpower. The perception that Laval has many attractions is therefore very important for us and the communications campaign meets our goals.
Francine Cabral, General Manager of the Chambre de Commerce et d`Industrie de Laval declared: In Laval, tourism is a major economic factor for a growing number of companies working in this sector, and we want the industry to pursue its growth. To our mind, a healthy tourist industry in Laval creates employment and brings tangible benefits to the entire city economy and to companies located in the region.
The Cosmodome is proud to partner with Tourisme Laval in this communication campaign, declared Michel Latour, General Manager of the Laval Cosmodome and Space Camp. The Centre des Sciences de l`Espace and the Canada Space Camp are two major attractions in Laval`s overall tourism portfolio and we are counting on this synergy with our partners to maximize the potential of our facilities and contribute to Laval`s national and international outreach.
There`s no doubt that there is plenty to do in Laval, added Mr. Pierre Giard, General Manager of the Societe de transport de Laval. Each year, more than 20 million people use the public transit system to get around in Laval and that number is steadily increasing. The STL is proud to join in this campaign that reminds people that things are happening in Laval.
Ms. Francine Filiatreault, Chair of Eco-Nature added: Launching of this campaign represents the beginning of a new era for the region where the diversity of Laval`s attractions will be showcased in a new innovative concept.
Tourisme Laval`s campaign is built around two television messages, radio messages, presence on Internet and on the Aeroports de Montreal network, and print material will soon be out.
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