Cruise the Saint Lawrence (CSL) applauds the announcement by Caroline Proulx, Québec Minister of Tourism, who unveiled the government’s action plan for promoting responsible and sustainable tourism. The initiative aims to enhance Québec’s position as one of the world’s leading tourist destinations to focus resolutely on sustainable development. The primary thrusts of the Ministry’s action plan are in full keeping with CSL’s own Sustainable Development Strategy.
The international cruise industry has been hard hit by the current health crisis and the relaunch of activities will be shaped and orchestrated in accordance with the requisites of sustainable development. The announcement by Minister Proulx will provide support for tourism-based companies and member ports of call in restructuring visitor attractions and greeting protocols, enhancing economic benefits and reducing sectoral impact on climate change. Planned action will also help the tourism industry innovate and ensure sustainability going forward, while preserving a workable footprint for host communities.
Strategic policy and direction at Cruise the Saint Lawrence, which are consistent with the five focal points set out by the Ministry of Tourism, have been developed around four key thrusts, 12 goals and over 30 projects scheduled for implementation over the coming five years. These four thrusts are as follows:
- Dialogue: Be involved, foster dialogue and create strategic alliances
- Value: Create shared value with local communities and industry players
- Visitor experience: Situate the passenger at the heart of a responsible, visitor-based experience
- Climate: Reduce, to the maximum extent possible, cruise industry impact on climate change and protect host community ecosystems
In parallel with implementation of this strategy, Cruise the Saint Lawrence plans to introduce sanitary measures intended to transform the industry into one of the safest, securest means of travel.
About CSL
Cruise the Saint Lawrence, founded in 2000, groups together the nine Destination Saint Lawrence ports of call of Montréal, Trois-Rivières, Québec, Saguenay, Baie-Comeau, Sept-Îles, Havre-Saint-Pierre, Gaspé and the Magdalen Islands. The mission of CSL is to grow cruise market activities in Québec and across Destination Canada New England through the provision of marketing and development services to members. Cruise the Saint Lawrence enjoys the support of partners Tourism Québec, Québec Tourism Industry Alliance and Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada.