Vancouver, BC, October 2, 2013—Signed, sealed, delivered. The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and Le Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité Canada (RDÉE Canada) today put pen to paper on a Memorandum of Understanding to develop a tourism framework for Francophone and Acadian communities across Canada.
Working together, CTC and RDÉE Canada will promote and support tourism experiences in Francophone and Acadian communities. In doing so, they will also look to stimulate further growth from private-sector industry stakeholders and align those communities with the strengths of Canada’s tourism brand.
“Official language minority communities within Canada have vibrant and unique tourism products,” says Michele McKenzie, CTC President and CEO. “We will use this new agreement to help highlight those experiences to international travellers and create fresh streams of revenue and jobs in those parts of the country.”
The agreement signposts increased collaboration between CTC and RDÉE Canada, sharing knowledge about Canadian tourism and local products respectively.
“This agreement between CTC and RDÉE Canada bodes well for the future of tourism in Francophone and Acadian communities across Canada,” says Gilles Lanteigne, President of the Board of Directors of RDÉE Canada. “Not only can new and existing tourism products can be developed, but more visitors will be encouraged to visit our communities. Given the importance of the work of RDÉE Canada and its twelve provincial and territorial members in the area of francophone tourism in Canada, this agreement with the CTC is a natural fit.”
CUTLINES:
• Michele McKenzie, President & CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission, and Mr. Gilles Lanteigne, President of the Board of Directors of RDÉE Canada, signed a memorandum of understanding to develop a national tourism framework for Francophone and Acadian communities across Canada.
• CTC already has two Acadian adventures within its Canadian Signature Experiences collection: Catch the Acadian Spirit (Village Historique Acadien) and Discover l’Acadie through Your Five Senses (Le Pays de la Sagouine).
About the Canadian Tourism Commission
The Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) is Canada’s national tourism marketing organization. A federal Crown corporation wholly owned by the Government of Canada, we lead the Canadian tourism industry in marketing Canada as a premier four-season tourism destination. Our vision is to inspire the world to explore Canada. With our partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada, the provinces and the territories, we promote Canada’s extraordinary experiences in 11 countries around the world, conduct original market research, offer stunning visuals through the Brand Canada Library and provide resources and toolkits to help industry leverage Canada’s successful tourism brand—”Canada. Keep Exploring.” For regular updates on CTC initiatives, subscribe to CTC News, search our corporate website, become a fan on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, share images on Instagram or subscribe to our YouTube channel.
About RDÉE
RDÉE Canada (Réseau de développement économique et d’employabilité) is the only national organization working for the economic development of the Francophone and Acadian communities in Canada. RDÉE Canada is present in every province and territory through local RDÉEs that form the National Network.
RDÉE Canada is a leader in the area of community-based economic development in the Francophone minority communities across Canada. Its national office also offers essential support and services to its provincial and territorial counterparts to assist them in their own initiatives.
For further information, please contact:
Margaret Nevin
Senior Communications Advisor
Canadian Tourism Commission
Tel: 604-638-8406
nevin.margaret@ctc-cct.ca
Julie Gagné
Gestionnaire, Communications
RDÉE Canada
Cell. : 819 592-2613
julie.gagne@rdee.ca