Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique launches its second support cohort 

QUÉBEC, January 25, 2022 – Three tourism industry associations that offer nature‑culture‑adventure products, the Quebec Outfitters Federation (QOF), Indigenous Tourism Quebec (ITQ) and Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ), are pleased to announce the names of the tourism businesses accepted into Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique’s second cohort. The first cohort, which was launched last September, is still active and includes 16 tourism businesses from across five northern regions. The second cohort welcomes 12 tourism businesses in four northern regions. 

Through its coaching and financing components, Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique aims to support and accelerate the development of responsible and sustainable tourism businesses in regions north of the 49th parallel. Incubator-Accelerator Nordique offers tailored support through its strong network of partners specialized in entrepreneurship and tourism, and direct financial assistance of up to $300,000 per eligible project. The support covers a period from six to nine months, depending on the stage of the businesses’ development, which enables promoters and local communities to fast-track their efforts and make their business projects a reality in the region.

The tourism projects accepted into the support pathways are required to offer products and services based on nature, adventure, ecotourism or Indigenous culture.

The Incubateur-Accélérateur project was launched in April as part of the economic diversification measures included in the Quebec Government's 2020–2023 Northern Action Plan. It is also aligned with the major principles of the Quebec Department of Tourism's Cadre d’intervention touristique 2021-2025 and Plan d’action pour un tourisme responsable et durable 2020-2025. The project has a budget of $8 million, half of which comes from the Quebec Department of Tourism and half from Société du Plan Nord. Two million dollars of this amount is devoted to supporting businesses and $6 million to financing their projects.

Quotes 

“The enthusiasm of promoters and communities for Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique’s second call for projects shows that there is a strong potential to be developed in Northern Quebec in terms of tourism. I am delighted with this collaboration, which will allow us to showcase the natural, cultural and human riches of these places less frequently visited by travellers, and I salute the work of the sectoral associations involved in this project. Their commitment and meticulousness will undoubtedly contribute to its success.” 

Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions

“The support offered by the Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique is an undeniable asset for the development of tourism north of 49th parallel. I am very pleased that new businesses in the North can benefit from this support only a few months after Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique’s first selection, in September 2021. This second cohort is also a testament to how dynamic the tourism industry is in North Shore region. Congratulations to all the selected entrepreneurs!”

Jonatan Julien, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region

“Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique contributes to the development of Indigenous tourism in a concrete way. In addition to generating economic benefits for our communities, this type of tourism promotes gatherings, discovery and connection between nations. I am therefore very pleased that this program, which encourages Indigenous entrepreneurship, is so successful.”

Ian Lafrenière, Minister responsible for Indigenous Affairs

“I am proud to see the continued success of Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique. These three regional projects are in addition to those already underway and will promote diverse and original experiences.”

Denis Lamothe, Member for Ungava

“The expertise of the three sectoral associations specialized in the nature-culture-adventure axis, combined with that of experts and partners, is at the centre of the Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique's support approach. Our intervention model has been developed to facilitate connections between entrepreneurs, stakeholders in the tourism industry and local communities, in order to address specific issues and grow projects at a rapid pace, while respecting hosting capacities and the integration of ecoresponsible practices.”

Marc Plourde, Chief Executive Officer, Quebec Outfitters Federation (QOF), Pierre Gaudreault, Director General, Aventure Écotourisme Québec (AEQ), and Dave Laveau, Director General, Indigenous Tourism Quebec (ITQ)

A third call for applications is planned for the spring. Promoters are invited to visit www.ianord.ca/homepage for more information and to join the mailing list to be notified of this call for projects.

Highlights

• The Quebec Government has entrusted the mandate to bring Incubateur-Accélérateur to three sectoral tourism associations recognized for their expertise in nature, culture and adventure tourism: the Quebec Outfitters Federation, Indigenous Tourism Quebec and Aventure Écotourisme Québec. In order to adequately cover all Northern areas and meet with entrepreneurs, regional tourism associations are also closely involved in the process.

• The Incubateur-Accélérateur project is in line with measure 2.1.1 Développer le secteur du tourisme nordique de l’orientation 2 – Un tissu économique fort (Develop the northern tourism sector of orientation 2 – A strong and diversified economic fabric) from the Government of Quebec's 2022–2023 Northern Action Plan.

• This action plan addresses the priorities set out by the Northern Quebec stakeholders. It aims to provide the communities concerned with the appropriate tools so that they can fully inhabit their region.

About the Quebec Outfitters Federation

The QOF represents more than 330 outfitters operating across Quebec, small and medium-sized businesses that specialized in offering hunting, fishing and vacationing activities in natural environments. This industry helps maintain more than 4,500 jobs and generates nearly $200 million annually in economic benefits. Each year, approximately 425,000 people visit outfitters, 80% of whom are from Quebec.

About Indigenous Tourism Quebec (ITQ)

Recognized by the Quebec Department of Tourism as the official spokesperson for Indigenous tourism and by the Assembly of First Nations of Quebec and Labrador as the key spokesperson for Quebec's Indigenous tourism industry, ITQ represents and works closely with more than 175 Indigenous member businesses. ITQ has been dedicated to representing the interests, development and promotion of Indigenous tourism offering since 1991 and believes now more than ever in the importance of defending and supporting authentic experiences that celebrate the cultures of Quebec's 11 Indigenous Nations. Each year, Indigenous Quebecers create more than 4,000 jobs and share their culture with more than 1.2 million visitors, while generating more than $169 million in economic benefits.

About Aventure Écotourisme Québec

Aventure Écotourisme Québec is the tourism industry association recognized by various Quebec departments and agencies as the leader and official spokesperson for adventure and nature tourism in Quebec, particularly in the context of the Accréditation Qualité-Sécurité (quality-safety certification) program. As it has been dedicated to the development of the sector and the promotion of nature and outdoor tourism for the past 30 years, its primary mission is to defend the interests of member businesses and organizations and to stimulate their growth by offering them a range of products and services that promote their development, the improvement of their business practices and their positioning on the various tourism markets.

Sources

Anne Lemieux
Manager-Coordinator
Incubateur-Accélérateur Nordique
Quebec Outfitters Federation
alemieux@fpq.com
Telephone: 1-800-567-9009, ext. 233

Amélie Dionne
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Tourism
and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière 
and Bas-Saint-Laurent regions
Telephone: 418-860-8486

Geneviève Tremblay
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 
and Minister responsible for the Côte-Nord region
Telephone: 418-643-7294

Mathieu Durocher
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister responsible 
Indigenous Affairs
Tel: 418 528-8407