Launched in February 2023 by MT lab and Destination Québec cité, the Sustainable Tourism Innovation Cluster already has several achievements to its credit.
The aim of the cluster is to foster innovation, promote the growth of start-ups and make sustainable tourism a major priority for the region and the province. It is based on four aspects:
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the Québec City region’s wealth of tourism and sustainable development opportunities
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calls for challenges, in collaboration with the Ministry of Tourism,
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networking events between innovative players and the tourism sector
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and a project, with the FAQDD, to increase the chances of successful implementation of future sustainable tourism innovations.
A look back at 7 busy months.
February 2023: launch of the Pôle
The MT Lab inaugurated this hub in Quebec City because the collaboration with Destination Québec cité brings an essential strategic dimension, combined with the strength of each to catalyze the development of more sustainable and innovative tourism in the region.
The cluster’s office is hosted by Québec numérique, a partner of the MT Lab, which has enabled us to forge initial links with key players such as the Groupe 3737the incubator 2 Degrés and Coop Carbone.
June: VIP financing networking
In an event dedicated to networking in public financing, on June 7, the Pôle de Québec welcomed some fifteen young innovative companies from the MT Lab incubation program. The initiative enabled various financing players to present their financing offers, and the startups had the opportunity to present their projects to them as well as to Destination Québec cité and Québec numérique. The aim was to generate multiple business opportunities.
Public Finance Networking, June 7
July: First Call for Challenge: Residual materials management in business tourism
As part of the Ministry of Tourism’s tourism innovation program, the cluster launched its first call for challenges to resolve major issues facing the sector. It focused on the management of residual materials in business tourism, an important issue for sustainable tourism. Startups were invited to propose innovative solutions to optimize the sorting and management of waste generated during events.
The chosen initiative is that of Retournzy, a “turnkey service of returnable containers for catering and restaurant services”. The stakeholders who will benefit from the project are Capital Traiteur, Tourisme d’affaires Québec and the Palais des congrès de Montréal.
August: Second Call to Challenge: Understanding the visitor journey to the destination
In the wake of its first success, the Pôle de Québec has launched a second call for challenges. Like many tourist cities, Trois-Rivières is concerned with the management of tourist flows, which is why this call for challenges aims to better understand the visitor journey to the destination. The selection process is underway, and the winning initiative will be announced shortly.
Two further calls for challenges are planned between now and spring 2024.
How can you increase the chances of success of an innovative solution?
In 2023, MT Lab’s Quebec Cluster has consolidated its commitment to making Quebec an innovative and sustainable tourism destination.. S’inscrivant dans une démarche ambitieuse, le pôle a entrepris des démarches concrètes en vue de réaliser cette vision.
The cluster has begun strategic consultations with key industry players. This process, carried out in collaboration with a number of players, including meet4impact, Tourisme durable Québec and the Transat ChairThe aim of this project is to identify ways of increasing the chances of success when implementing an innovative sustainable tourism solution.
Many solutions are available, but they are struggling to establish themselves over the long term. The aim of this study is to identify the reasons for this problem, and to suggest possible solutions.
This project is financially supported by the Quebec government as part of Destination durable et action concertée, a support measure coordinated by the Fonds d’action québécois pour le développement durable (FAQDD) under the Plan pour une économie verte 2030 and the Plan d’action pour un tourisme responsable et durable 2020-2025.
On course for 2024
All in all, MT Lab’s Sustainable Tourism Innovation Cluster has already recorded significant and concrete achievements since its launch in February 2023. The cluster aims to continue catalyzing innovation, forging links and propelling innovative solutions for a sustainable and promising tourism future.
There are also many initiatives for the future and room to join this innovative movement. A management position will be opening soon.
