Find here the contents shared in our June 2023 thematic newsletter
Editorial of June 20, 2023
Francophone culture in Canada, because it represents the identity of our ancestors and the richness of our heritage, is a major element of cultural tourism for the whole country. It is celebrated everywhere in Quebec, but also elsewhere in Canada thanks to numerous tourist attractions such as the Champlain Road In Ontario, the Festival des Voyageurs in Manitoba or even the Pays de la Sagouine in New Brunswick. There is a plurality of Francophone cultures in Canada, something that we may tend to forget here in Quebec! But you only need to read the books of anthropologist Serge Bouchard to take full measure of it, since he devoted his life to the promotion of Aboriginal and Francophone culture in Canada. Despite this, it is surprising to note that our national DMO, Destination Canada, does not give any window to Francophone culture.
In recent years, it has instead chosen to recognize RDÉE Canada as the person responsible for this promotion, through the platform Hello Canada. Unfortunately, it does not have the same influence as Destination Canada could offer it. After all, RDÉE Canada is an economic development and employability organization, not a marketing instrument. With this newsletter, we want to highlight the importance of La Francophonie and its vibrant cultures for the Canadian tourism industry. Happy reading!
Aude
Original TouriScope article
A look at French-speaking tourism in Canada
There is a plurality of Francophone cultures across the country, but this wealth has only been highlighted in recent years by the Canadian tourism industry. The promotion of Francophone culture at the national level did not exist before the idea was born at the Ministerial Conference on the Canadian Francophonie in 2015. Two years later, on the occasion of Canada's 150th anniversary, the Department of Canadian Heritage asked RDÉE Canada to carry out a project to ensure the development, enhancement and promotion of French-speaking tourism in Canada: the Francophone Heritage, Cultural and Tourism Corridor, now renamed Hello Canada. Where are we today? Continue reading the full article here.
Elsewhere on the web
The opportunities of French-speaking markets
According to the International Organization of la Francophonie, there are more than 321 million Francophones in the world. Francophone tourism and domestic and international Francophone tourism markets represent an opportunity for Canada. This RDÉE Canada study, presents the profile and travel behavior of each of these markets as well as the benefits of targeting them and tips on how to do so. The study suggests that in order to attract them, it is important to communicate in French, that businesses welcome them in their language, to promote Franco-Canadian culture and heritage and to highlight the existence of Francophone and Acadian communities.
Discovering Canadian nature in French?
The website of Hello Canada presents the attractions that promote Francophone heritage across Canada and those that offer services in French. Blog posts add a dynamic touch to the site. An example with this article which presents various essential outdoor activities accompanied by a French-speaking guide. A guarantee of insurance for travelers who might not have taken the plunge into an adventure activity without support in their language!
A festival to promote the Francophonie
Do you know the Winnipeg Voyageur Festival, in the French-speaking district of Saint-Boniface? It is the largest French-speaking event in Western Canada, welcoming more than 90,000 festival-goers per year. This annual winter celebration highlights the arts from several disciplines, including music, dance, sculpture and visual arts, while prioritizing Francophone and Indigenous artists. The festival also offers educational experiences to the general public and to schools throughout the year, which focus on the history of Francophones, Métis, and First Nations in Manitoba. Very inspiring!
Our projects
Franco-Ontarian culture in the spotlight
At the request of the Ontario Economic Society (SÉO), Touriscope, in collaboration with TourismExpansion, has developed several guided tours (available on the Discovery Balado platform) and showcasing Franco-Ontarian culture. Among the routes, a heritage, cultural and historical itinerary was created around the Byward Market district in Ottawa. Over 4 kilometers, it offers fun and exclusive content at each point of interest. In particular, visitors will have the chance to discover the contribution of the First Nations and the Francophone minority over time. Since 2015, SÉO has initiated major projects as part of its Francophone and Bilingual Tourism Strategy in Ontario.
Our services
Do you have a tourism project?
Touriscope, in collaboration with other specialized partners, can help you! Learn more about our services here
- Market study
- (pre) feasibility study
- Study of opportunities and development potentials
- Etc.
Another need? Contact us, we will be happy to discuss it!
Featured photo: Islandworks on Pixabay
POSTED
6/20/2023