Québec at a glance

Watch this space for news, information on local businesses and items of note.

Montréal design at Montréal-Trudeau airport

Until the end of the year, Montréal-Trudeau airport will host an exhibition of photographs that pays tribute to Montréal’s designation as a UNESCO City of Design. The featured photos are the work of young Montréal photographers.
Source: TourismExpress

The Québec City Courtyard Marriott, member of the Bonjour Québec.com online reservation service, has won the Marriott’s Chairman’s Award for the second time. The prize was awarded to the establishment at the Marriott Hotels conference held in San Antonio at the beginning of April for overall customer satisfaction. Customers gave the hotel a 96% satisfaction rating, earning it the prestigious prize, which is the second in importance after Hotel of the Year.
Source: TourismExpress

The Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré unveiled the programming for celebrations for the 350th anniversary of the Shrine, which will take place in 2008, under the honorary presidency of Ms. Lise Thibault, Lieutenant Governor of Québec. The year 2008 will be one for rejoicing and will be marked by many activities, such as the official opening, First Nations Sunday and the Saint Anne’s Novena. It will also be a wonderful opportunity to invite participants in the International Eucharistic Congress in June 2008 to discover the treasures of the Shrine. In fall 2008, the Shrine of Sainte Anne-de-Beaupré will mark the Journée de reconnaissance des religieuses et des prêtres announced by Mr. Pierre Boulanger, President and CEO of the Société du 400^e anniversaire de Québec, to underline the contribution of religious communities throughout our history and to showcase Québec’s religious heritage.
Source: www.ssadb.qc.ca/

This Canadian manufacturer today has over 56,000 employees and annual revenue verging on US$15 billion, 98% of which is from international sources. The J. Armand Bombardier Museum in Valcourt pays tribute to Bombardier’s founder with a look back on the company’s history. An exhibit entitled The Adventure Continues traces the epic story of Bombardier, which, over the years, has grown from a small family business to an international transportation giant. The temporary exhibition runs until February 10, 2008. The J. Armand Bombardier Museum, which reopened in February, also offers a permanent exhibit devoted to the Estrie entrepreneur. The public can see the technological evolution of his inventions and admire 14 restored vehicles.
Source: TourismExpress

In a vote held on February 27, 2007, the House of Commons recommended that the federal government officially recognize Exporail, The Canadian Railway Museum as the national rail museum. Mr. Stephen Cheasley, President of the Canadian Railroad Historical Association (CRHA), made the announcement on March 1, 2007.
Source: TourismExpress

The Hilton Lac-Leamy in Gatineau received the Conrad Hilton (Connie) Award for Best Overall Performance from the Hilton Hotels chain. This is the fourth time since it opened in 2001 that the hotel has received this prize, which recognizes the best overall performance in North America, business hotel category. Another winning member of the Bonjour Québec.com reservation service!
Source: TourismExpress

Québec City continues to hold a special place in the hearts and memories of readers of the prestigious U.S. magazine Condé Nast Traveler, November 2005 edition. Indeed, the qualities of the city and its surrounding area as a tourist destination have once again been recognized: Québec ranks as the 4th (U.S. excluded) and 9th (U.S. included) best city in the Americas, and the 18th best tourist destination in the world (all continents combined).
Source: Office du tourisme de Québec

Club Tremblant l’Hôtel du Lac is teaming up with Delco Aviation to offer a new seaplane service starting in May 2006. According to Lynda Synnott, general manager of l’Hôtel du Lac: “All international destinations need feature activities. Mont Tremblant, which stands as a world-class destination, is rounding out its offer with this highly popular attraction—one that is particularly appreciated by the European and Asian clientele.” Numerous packages will be offered.
Source: Tourisme Express

Excellent news for the Germain Group: Hôtel Dominion 1912, the group’s boutique hotel located in Old Québec City, was judged Canada’s best hotel in Condé Nast Traveler’s 18th annual Readers’ Choice Awards 2005. Hôtel Dominion 1912 was also listed among the 500 best hotels in the world by Travel & Leisure Magazine 2005.
Source: The Germain Group

An ecotourism project at the Centre Plein Air Bec-Scie in the Saguenay region. The project will allow visitors to observe wild black bears at close range from the safety of recently built observation towers. A trip in a rabaska (large canoe) and a visit to an aboriginal site are also on the agenda.
Source: Association touristique régionale du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

The Zoo sauvage de Saint-Félicien is planning to develop new habitats for various exotic species such as the Siberian tiger or the snow monkey that are indigenous to regions with similar Nordic climates. Financing for the project, whose costs are estimated at $10M, is still pending. The project is in line with the zoo’s mission to present all aspects of the Borealie, which is not defined by geographic boundaries but rather by ecosystems and temperatures.
Source: Association touristique régionale du Saguenay–Lac-Saint-Jean

An Ipsos-Reid poll revealed that 32% of Canadians consider Montréal as the best city in Canada in terms of having a good time, coming in ahead of Toronto (22%). This preference is even more marked among Québec residents, 75% of whom rank Montréal first among Canadian cities, compared to 46% of Ontario residents who claim the honour for Toronto. Below are a few statistics that reflect Montréal’s fun-loving nature and its famous joie de vivre. • You can catch 21.4 shows on any given night in Montréal. • Each year, Montréal notches up over 275 days of festivals and sporting events. • There are 347 restaurants for every 100,000 residents. • There are 9.5 bars per square km downtown and on the Plateau, two very lively districts. • There are 2.75 cinemas per square km downtown and on the Plateau. • There are 90.3 stores per 100,000 residents downtown and on the Plateau.
Source: Tourisme Montréal

The archipelago is the only place in Québec where sports fishing enthusiasts can take to the seas for expeditions lasting up to 16 hours. The boat owned by local outfitting operation Pourvoirie Mako can hold about ten passengers, who may be called upon to work together to reel in a catch… which can take up to three hours! The organizer estimates the chances of catching a trophy fish at 75%. The expedition costs approximately $500. Info: 418 985-2895, e-mail: dupriez.poirier@sympatico.ca.
Source: Association touristique régionale des Îles-de-la-Madeleine

André Quenneville
2007-11-20


Québec Travel experiences Tourist regions To do and see Tailor-made holidays E-Magazine