Press Release for Immediate Distribution

Press release For immediate distribution

4th tour for the reinforcement of the Lower‐North‐Shore tourist pole, November 16th to the 26th

Sept‐Iles, November 4th 2015 – Tourism Côte‐Nord and its partners would like to inform the municipalities as well as all of the economic and tourist stakeholders for the entire Lower‐ North‐Shore that the “reinforcement of the tourist poles” continues. There will be a fourth tour of the territory between next November 16th and the 26th. This meeting is not‐to‐be‐ missed, mark your calendars.

Solid and efficient partners for a structuring approach Emploi‐Québec (Centre local d'emploi de Havre‐Saint‐Pierre), the Centre local de développement de la Basse‐Côte‐Nord, CEDEC, Voyages Coste, the Conférence régionale des élus de la Côte‐Nord, the Coaster’s Association of the Lower‐North‐Shore and the Société d'aide au développement des collectivités de la Côte‐Nord have collaborated with the ATR of the Côte‐ Nord to create an Ad hoc committee in order to optimize the tourist industry on the Lower‐ North‐Shore. The contribution of these partners consists of financial support or an expertise in tourism.

A fourth tour in ten months This is the fourth tour in ten months for this major tourism development project. The first meetings were held during these past months of March, May and August. Traveling through all of the Lower‐North‐Shore localities allowed Jean‐Michel Perron, consultant for PAR Conseils, and Melissa Rochefort, assistant executive director and development, structuring and tourism services coordinator for Tourism Côte‐Nord, to better understand the realities of the region. They were able to gather the information for the planning of concrete actions to maximize the development of the tourism industry on the Lower‐North‐Shore.

On the agenda for November 16th to 26th During this upcoming tour on November 16th to 26th, Melissa Rochefort and Jean‐Michel Perron will present the action plan in each of the Lower‐North‐Shore localities. The schedule for the presentations can be found attached to this document. Participants will be able to learn more about the action plan, as well as give their opinion on the priorities for tourism development on the Lower‐North‐Shore. This document will be continuously revised and will be adjusted based on the comments made during the presentations.

A meeting of vital importance, a must for all It is of vital importance that the municipal councillors, mayors, local population, tourist promoters, as well as other organizations participate in these meetings. It is essential that the actions truly reflect what the region wants and that the entire Lower‐North‐Shore be involved in completing the work.

A proactive Ad hoc committee In order to achieve the objectives of the committee (reflect, orient and advise on the actions to prioritise to improve the plan for the collaborative reinforcement of the tourist pole), the information collected during the first three tours enabled Mr. Perron to submit an action plan. In addition to this work, he is always available to answer questions and meet with all concerned parties. To make an appointment for his expertise and advice, free-of-charge, do not hesitate to contact him by email at [email protected] or by telephone at 418-802-5191.

The essential “tourist pole approach” From the “Plan stratégique de développement touristique de la Côte-Nord 2013-2020” (PSDTCN), the approach is part of the implementation of project 1.2 Plan the reinforcement of the tourist poles. This strategic action is essential to attaining one of the plan’s objectives: unite the North-Shore for its promotion and its advancement.

Tourism Côte-Nord|Duplessis and Tourism Côte-Nord|Manicouagan are private non-profit organizations that are recognized and mandated by the Quebec government for issues of regional consultations, tourist centres and information, signage, promotion and tourism development for the North Shore region. The Ministère du Tourisme du Québec recognizes these partners to establish priorities, orientations and strategic actions that ensure the development of the region.

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Sources and information: Tourism Côte‐Nord|Duplessis Catherine Allard Communications and public relations coordinator [email protected] 418-962-3512 or toll-free at 1-888-463-0808

CLD BASSE-CÔTE-NORD

Municipality Date Public Session To confirm your presence Kegaska Monday, School Susie Stubbert-Strickland November 16 Corporation de développement At 6:30 pm de Kegaska

[email protected] 418 726-3201 / 418 726-3518 La Romaine Tuesday, Municipality House Éric Reid November 17 President of Local Council At 7 pm [email protected] 418 229-2157 Unamen Shipu Tuesday, To be confirmed November 17 Chevery Wednesday, Chevery Ana Osborne November 18 Community Hall Tours Nord / North Tours (Library room) [email protected] At 6 pm 418 787-2332 Harrington Harbour Thursday, Rowsell House Monica Anderson November 19 Tourism Association of At 7 pm Harrington Harbour

[email protected] 418 795-3103 Bonne-Espérance Friday, November Saint-Paul's School Garland Nadeau 20 CLC Coaster’s Association

At 6:30 pm 418 379-2048 Blanc-Sablon Saturday, Welcoming Center Vicki Driscoll November 21 CEDEC At 6:30 pm [email protected] 418 461-3450 Saint-Augustin Sunday, November To be confirmed 22 Pakuashipi Monday, To be confirmed November 23 La Tabatière Tuesday, Mécatina School Kim Organ November 24 At 6 pm [email protected] 418 773-2475 Tête-à-la-Baleine Wednesday, Gabriel-Dionne Tourism and development November 25 School association of Tête-à-la-Baleine

At 7 pm [email protected] 418 242-2104 / 418 242-2015