Tourism Businesses as Key Drivers of Economic Development

A Symposium on Measuring the Performance and Economic Contribution of Tourism

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Montreal Convention Center (Quebec), Canada
September 24-25, 2012

To mark its 20th anniversary, the Transat Chair in Tourism of Université du Québec à Montréal’s (UQAM) School of Management planned an international symposium to examine tourism as a lever for economic development. Some of the topics which have been discussed: better defining tourism's contribution to a regional or national economy; taking inventory of and studying the various evaluation tools currently in use; identifying the presence and relevance of evaluation criteria for business projects; integrating certain key indicators into a business plan so public or private financing can be justified on the basis of facts, not assumptions; evaluating tourism’s impact on economic growth and productivity. This event was held September 24-25, 2012, in Montreal, a tourist destination and the point of arrival for the majority of Quebec’s foreign visitors.

This symposium mainly targeted decision makers from Quebec organizations and small and medium-size enterprises (SME) working in the tourism industry, for example:

  • Tourism activities and attractions
  • Event promoters
  • Accommodation sector
  • Tourism areas
  • Government departments, organizations, regional and sector-based associations
  • Universities
  • Specialized media

To learn more about the programme

http://www.chairedetourisme.uqam.ca/en/symposium-2012/programmation.html

 


 

Message from the ministère du Tourisme

For 20 years, the Transat Chair in Tourism has been a key organization for tourism industry stakeholders. It is a special source of knowledge and a disseminator of strategic information. It fulfils its mission in an exemplary manner by contributing to the rapid development and impact of the Québec tourism industry.

The ministère du Tourisme is proud to support the symposium under the theme of tourism enterprises at the heart of economic development that the Transat Chair in Tourism is organizing in conjunction with its 20th anniversary. This major international event, which is focusing on tourism as an economic development lever, will enable decision-makers from SMEs and Québec organizations to pinpoint sustainable, efficient tools to better evaluate their results and enhance their current and future productivity.

Tourism is unquestionably a cornerstone of Québec's prosperity as the industry generated $11 billion in tourism receipts in 2010. The organization of the symposium is certainly an important initiative since the performance of the Québec tourism industry is a key concern for me and is an integral part of the Plan de développement de l'industrie touristique 2012-2020 that the ministère du Tourisme has elaborated in collaboration with industry partners.tourisme


Message from the Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec

ministre lebel photoThe Government of Canada is pleased to support the work of the Transat Chair in Tourism, and particularly that of its Tourism Intelligence Network. The latter makes a direct and tangible contribution to the competitiveness of Quebec’s tourism businesses by helping develop their strategic capability with respect to international commercialization and strengthen their presence on foreign markets.

For 20 years now, the Transat Chair in Tourism’s activities have been reinforcing the competitive position of SMEs while supporting the efforts of local, regional and sectoral organizations in all Quebec regions to bolster the quality of Quebec’s tourism offering and enhance its international profile.

Our hope is that this world-class meeting will consolidate this rapid and effective access to strategic, helpful information adapted to the reality of firms and organizations so that they can grow, develop and prosper. Ultimately, Quebec’s communities will reap the benefits of their expertise, vitality and determination.

I wish participants enlightening discussions and a most enriching experience.

Have a great symposium!

ministre lebel signature

Denis Lebel
Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities
Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec