A first mobilization forum on Experiential Tourism in Acadia of the Lands and Forests

Forum touristiqueFrom left to right: the Honourable Francine Landry, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and Minister responsible for La Francophonie of New-Brunswick, Joanne Bérubé-Gagné (Executive Director of Edmundston Tourism Office), Alain Bossé (The Kilted Chef), Guylaine Sirois (MRC de Témiscouata), the Honourable Bill Fraser, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and Minister responsible for the Northern and Miramichi Funds, and Dona Saucier (Executive Director Fort Kent Chamber of Commerce)Edmundston (NB)- January 23, 2015 – As part of the follow-up activities of the Economic Component of the Congrès mondial acadien 2014, a first mobilization forum on Experiential Tourism was held last Saturday in Edmundston. Presented by the Regional Tourism Committee, a work group supported by the Core Leadership Team of Acadia of the Lands and Forests (ALF), in partnership with "Expérience Acadie" and "Acadie Gourmet". The goal of this forum was to strengthen the skills of tourism operators of the ALF region in regards to experiential tourism and local gastronomy.

This activity had about fifty tourism operators who benefited from the program which was as informative as it was participatory thanks to, amongst other things, dishes made from local ingredients by the Kilted Chef, Edmundston native Alain Bossé. The participants also had the opportunity to learn more about experiential tourism with Quebec consultant, Pierre Labrie. They also had the chance to visit the Petit-Sault Brewers microbrewery of Edmundston.

"The forum participants' response was very positive and we are optimistic about the oncoming 2015 tourist season. We heard nothing but good comments praising the works of Mr. Labrie and Mr. Bossé during the activity. The fact that we are working on a regional basis allows us to reach such experts, thus strengthens collectively our tourism attractions. For our region, it's an important economic development sector." said Ms. Lori-Ann Cyr, coordinator of the ALF's Core Leadership Team.

The forum was also attended by the Honourable Bill Fraser, Minister of Tourism, Heritage and Culture and Minister responsible for the Northern and Miramichi Funds, the Honourable Francine Landry, Minister of Post-Secondary Education, Training and Labour and Minister responsible for La Francophonie of New-Brunswick, Ms. Guylaine Sirois, préfet of the MRC of Témiscouata and Ms. Dona Saucier of the Aroostook County in Maine.

It may be recalled that the Core Leadership Team of the Acadia of the Lands and Forests consists of representatives from the North of Aroostook in Maine, the Témiscouata in Quebec and the northwestern part of New-Brunswick representing the business community, the community development organizations, the local governance, the education and health sector, the youth and the First Nations.

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To request more information or an interview, contact:

Lori Ann Cyr - Coordinator of the ALF's Core Leadership Team

[email protected] ; Tel. : (506) 737-9600