Three-year marketing strategy to increase visitor traffic

Gaspé, Québec, April 4, 2013 -- The annual promotion budget for Forillon National Park in the Gaspé Peninsula will be increased to $150,000 in 2013-2014 with an additional $100,000 to implement a three-year marketing strategy.

“The marketing strategy seeks to increase visitor traffic not only at Forillon but also at the Battle of the Restigouche and Pointe-au-Père Lighthouse national historic sites,” pointed out Forillon National Park superintendent Stéphane Marchand. “If we are to accomplish this, our partners’ support is crucial.”

To reach its objectives, Parks Canada is resolutely committed to pursuing its collaboration with partners such as the Chambre de commerce et de tourisme de Gaspé, Association touristique régionale (ATR) de la Gaspésie and Québec Maritime. Moreover, discussions are underway with various stakeholders who have already expressed their interest in implementing joint promotional actions.

“This investment by Parks Canada comes just at the right moment since the time has come to build a promotional strategy for Forillon,” said Olivier Nolleau, Chambre de commerce et de tourisme de Gaspé general director and co-chair of the Forillon National Park advisory committee.

“We are delighted to see a traffic-drawing product like Forillon National Park making the choice to invest in promotion,” said Joëlle Ross, general director of Tourisme Gaspésie. “It will benefit the entire Gaspé Peninsula.”

The Forillon National Park team is working hard and will continue to make the most of every opportunity to promote the national treasures it manages. Recently, Forillon National Park took part in the Québec City Carnival in February to promote the new oTENTik tents that will be set up at Forillon this summer as well as in the recreational vehicle trade shows in Montréal and Québec City in cooperation with the ATR de la Gaspésie in March and has maintained an active social media presence.

Forillon National Park employs 135 persons in high season and has invested $34 million since 2008, including nearly $14 million in investment projects, including projects enhancing visitor experience.

For more information about Parks Canada sites on the Gaspé Peninsula, please visit Parks Canada’s Website at www.pc.gc.ca/eng/pn-np/qc/forillon/index.aspx.

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Information:
Michel Queenton
External Relations Manager
Gaspésie Field Unit
Telephone: 418-368-5592

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