Rimouski March 18, 2020 – Today, the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec and Cruise the Saint Lawrence are issuing a status update concerning the progress of the impact of COVID-19 on this industry.
Every day, tourism professionals adjust to this changing situation, which remains unprecedented in both modern society and the tourism industry in Québec.
The Alliance, along with all regional and industrial partners, empathizes with the concerns raised by this pandemic and the significant impact of the current crisis on businesses, workers, and students in our economic sector.
Currently, the Alliance is working on a daily basis in conjunction with regional and industry tourism associations, in a coordinated, coherent, and responsive manner, focusing on the following three areas:
- Assisting, equipping and supporting companies.
- Preparing for the relaunch.
- Supporting the government in managing this crisis.
Public Health First and Foremost
Public health remains the top priority and we obviously hope that Québec will remain a safe destination. The approach currently being implemented shows the very high level of alertness of the Government of Québec and we applaud the measures put in place over the past few days.
Everyone must participate in protecting the economic, tourist, and social frameworks by following the recommendations issued the government, which is managing this public health crisis as an absolute priority. The Alliance and Cruise the Saint Lawrence invite professionals in the various industries to be patient, to take care of themselves and their loved ones, and to follow the recommendations regarding public health.
Supporting Partners in Tourism
All regional and tourist industry associations, along with the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec, are also working to support the Government of Québec, while hoping that all decisions will lead to a return to normalcy.
Closely collaborating with the Ministry of Tourism, the Alliance:
- Coordinates its actions while considering their impacts.
- Ensures an open and continuous communication between its members.
- Shares information, practical guides, and useful tools to support companies in their management of the current crisis.
- Recommends to the government financial measures to be put in place in order to support the companies and workers of the tourism industry.
- Tourist companies are asked to visit the special COVID-19 page on the Alliance’s website to access various information and references made available to them by the Alliance, as well as other regional and industry associations in the tourism industry.
Additionally, in an effort to unburden all tourism association partners and allow them to focus on supporting other businesses who are members of their respective organizations, it was decided among them that the Alliance would act as the sole representative of the tourism industry in Québec, for all areas beyond Montréal and Québec City.
To conclude, it should be noted that all marketing materials available, both outside as well as within Québec have been updated in real time over the past few days. A collaborative team, including the Alliance, and regional as well as industry partners, is currently dedicated to planning and effectively preparing the actions necessary for a successful relaunch when the time is right.
Testimonials
“With each passing day, we more clearly appreciate the extent to which businesses across the tourism sector with direct or indirect involvement in the Saint Lawrence cruise industry operations are increasingly and significantly impacted by the COVID-19 coronavirus. We empathize with and understand the situation in which these entrepreneurs and their employees find themselves. That said, we remain confident that our governments will propose economic measures intended to support the socioeconomic fabric of our industry.”
Tony Boemi, President
Cruise the Saint Lawrence
“Tourism is a resilient industry that possesses a great capacity to bounce back. I would like to thank your association very much for working with us during these difficult times. By being united, not only will our industry weather this ordeal together, but we can emerge stronger than ever.”
Martin Soucy, chief executive office
Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec
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Sources and informations
René Trépanier, Executive Director
Cruise the Saint-Lawrence
rene@cruisesaintlawrence.com
Mobile : (418) 725-9252
Anne-Hélène Couturier, Corporate Communications Manager
Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec
ahcouturier@alliancetouristique.com
Mobile: (581) 994-2663