Outaouais, March 26, 2009- After assessing the first year’s results of the Outaouais Tourism Development Program (OTDP), Outaouais Tourism announced earlier today that a new partnership would be added to the program. The Ministère de la Culture, des Communications et de la Condition féminine (Department of Cultural Affairs and the Status of Women) will join the current OTDP’s partners to stimulate the establishment of tourist infrastructures with cultural appeal in the region; this partnership represents an annual contribution of $50 000, for a three-year period.

“We are thrilled that another major partner wishes to contribute to the development and the renewal of the overall tourism offer in the Outaouais”, said the president of the board of directors of Outaouais Tourism, Ms. Louise Boudrias. “The MCCCF’s contribution considerably adds value to the Regional Partnership Tourism Agreement and will help us support even more local initiatives.”

The Ministry has identified two main collaboration objectives: to position culture with the development of the regional tourism offer, and to highlight both environmental assets and man-made heritage. The government’s orientations and the strategic regional planning converge towards common interests. By aligning culture and tourism, this new partnership will give numerous culture-inspired projects a real chance to blossom.

Information:

José Lafleur
Assistant Director – Communications / Outaouais Tourism

819-778-2530, ext. 207 / 819-775-0415 cell

jlafleur@tourisme-outaouais.ca / www.outaouaistourism.com