The Tourism Innovation Program is expanding its support for AI projects in 2024, thanks to financial backing from the Ministry of Tourism.
Montreal, April 22, 2024 – MT Lab is very pleased to announce its first call for artificial intelligence (AI) solutions applied to tourism, which will support the newly formed Quebec Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in Tourism. Starting today, the MT Lab is offering a call for solutions, with a grant ranging from $25,000 to $200,000 per project, specifically to test artificial intelligence technologies within tourism businesses.
Recent advances in AI technologies, notably conversational robots, have clearly demonstrated that the evolution of this technology is already having a significant impact in several sectors, including the tourism industry.
“The democratization of artificial intelligence that has emerged in recent months is shaking up the way we do things, and the way our customers, the tourists, do things. We can only welcome the MT Lab initiative, which will enable us, for the first time, to create projects for our industry that will serve as an example for all. In this sense, the collaboration between the Groupe de travail, MT Lab and the Quebec Ministry of Tourism is to be commended,” says Pierre Bellerose, President of the Groupe de travail québécois sur l’intelligence artificielle en tourisme.
“In 7 years, the MT Lab has become the preferred vehicle for promoting innovations and new technologies to the entire Quebec tourism industry. The support of major industry leaders and the Ministry of Tourism, combined with the agility of a small organization like ours, has enabled us to set up this call for AI solutions to quickly respond to the current challenges posed by this revolution for all tourism players,” adds Martin Lessard, MT Lab’s General Manager.
The objectives
- Arouse the interest of tourism companies in artificial intelligence.
- Demonstrate the potential of artificial intelligence for tourism businesses in the areas of marketing, customer experience and management.
- Quickly identify artificial intelligence solutions, including those from different business sectors, and adapt them to the tourism industry.
Key dates
Phase 1:
- April 22, 2024 – Launch of the call for solutions
- May 1, 2024 – Public information session
- June 21, 2024- Application deadline
- July 2024 – Public announcement of winners
- September 2024- Start of solution implementation in tourism companies
- March 2025 – End of solution implementation in tourism businesses
About the Tourism Innovation Program
In March 2021, the Quebec government entrusted MT Lab with the management of a tourism innovation fund consisting of a $10 million envelope over 5 years. The Ministry of Tourism (MTO) wishes to support and democratize innovation for the tourism industry and accelerate the realization of structuring projects to enhance the quality of the offering of tourism businesses in a sustainable development perspective .
For more information on the call for solutions, visit the website.
About MT Lab
The first incubator-accelerator dedicated to the world of tourism, culture and entertainment in North America. MT Lab is an incubator and gas pedal for startups, a platform for open innovation and networking, a space for experimentation and monitoring, as well as a place for co-working and entrepreneurial support in Montreal and Quebec City. The MT Lab was created in 2017 by UQAM and Tourisme Montréal, and accompanies some 15 major corporate partners to spark innovation and accelerate opportunities in their fields.
For more information on the MT Lab’s mission, visit the website.
About the Quebec Task Force on Artificial Intelligence in Tourism
Founded in 2024, this working group dedicated to exploring AI in the tourism sector aims to raise awareness, provide training and offer business support on the potential and challenges that AI represents for the various sectors of the tourism industry. The group is made up of 16 members from tourism companies and organizations.
To find out more about the Group’s objectives, see the press release.
Contact MT Lab to sign up for the program and its details:
Program Manager
emilie@mtlab.ca
MT Lab contact for interviews and press relations:
Communications Coordinator
faustine@mtlab.ca
