Québec, June 8, 2023 – In the coming months, the MT Lab will begin a vast consultation with its major partners and a host of tourism industry players as part of its project Innovations in Sustainable Tourism: For a Sustainable Deployment of Innovative Sustainable Tourism Solutions in order to propose solutions aimed at making Quebec a sustainable and innovative tourism destination.
"Quebec's tourism industry must adopt new behaviours, a new approach based on innovation and sustainable tourism to be able to compete in the international market. In particular, we will consult with our major partners, experts in tourism and sustainable development and tourists, and then propose solutions that will lead to the successful transition of Quebec as a sustainable destination," explains Martin Lessard, Executive Director of the MT Lab.
Thus, all the actors met will support the MT Lab's reflection on the issues and challenges of the tourism sector in the current evolving context. They will be called upon to contribute to the development of the best possible approach to move the industry forward, which will, sooner or later, have to do things differently in terms of sustainable development.
This project is financially supported by the Government of Quebec as part of Sustainable Destination and Concerted Action, a support measure administered by the Fonds d'action québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD) stemming from the 2030 Plan for a Green Economy, which aims to encourage climate-responsible tourism practices and the Action Plan for Responsible and Sustainable Tourism 2020-2025. The MT Lab is receiving $200,000 in financial assistance as part of this program.
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"Quebec's tourism industry has begun the shift towards more responsible and sustainable tourism. To accelerate it and become a leader in this field, it is important to all work together so that our industry contributes to protecting the environment while increasing the economic and social benefits for the host communities. I applaud this MT Lab consultation project, which will make it possible to mobilize even more partners to achieve this common goal," said Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Lanaudière region.
"Our government is proud to provide financial support for this project as part of Sustainable Destination and Concerted Action, as it is perfectly aligned with the objectives of our 2030 Plan for a Green Economy, which aims to equip the economic sector and businesses in their process of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and adapting to climate change," said Benoit Charette, Minister of the Environment, the Fight Against Climate Change, Wildlife and Parks and Minister responsible for the Laurentides region.
"We are pleased to support this collaborative process led by MT Lab. This promising and innovative project will help accelerate the necessary transition to more responsible and sustainable tourism in Quebec. His contribution to the adoption of practices that promote the ecological transition and the resilience of tourism businesses will also be an important asset in achieving Quebec's objectives in the fight against climate change," says Véronique Desmarais, Director of Impact and Behaviour Change at the FAQDD.
The objective of the Sustainable Destination and Concerted Action program is to develop and structure a complementary, collaborative tourism offer, adapted to the context of climate change and conducive to positive economic, social and environmental benefits in the community.
About the MT Lab
North America's first incubator-accelerator dedicated to tourism, culture and entertainment. The MT Lab is both an incubator and a startup accelerator, a platform for open innovation and networking, a space for experimentation and monitoring, as well as a place for co-working and entrepreneurial support. The MT Lab was created in 2017 by UQAM and Tourisme Montréal, and supports some fifteen major partner companies to encourage innovation and accelerate opportunities in their field.
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MT Lab I MTlab.ca
