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Historic Hall - Quebec
City
Club Med Expresses Interest in Le Massif de Charlevoix
Project
Partnership possibility could be cornerstone to Canada’s
first Club Med
Quebec City, November 27 2012 –
At the Unir
nos forces pour favoriser le développement touristique conference
held by Quebec City’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry,
Groupe Le Massif’s Chairman of the Board of Directors,
Daniel Gauthier, stressed the importance of support
provided by a full range of partners. Among a number of
reasons, the Massif de Charlevoix project was made
possible thanks to the Charlevoix and Greater Quebec
City communities, its employees, assorted levels of
government, Investissement Québec, CN, Desjardins, the
National Bank of Canada and various shareholders such as
Groupe Germain, and Guy Laliberté. Mr Gauthier also took
the opportunity to announce that last week, a letter
of mutual interest was signed between Club Med and
Groupe Le Massif indicating their common wish to enter
into a partnership agreement to jointly operate a Club
Med located at Le Massif de Charlevoix, in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François.
Groupe Le Massif views this partnership as another
wonderful opportunity for Le Massif de Charlevoix to
establish itself as a world-class four-season
destination. "Negotiations concern the joint operation
of a 300-room hotel by December 2015. This represents
24% of the total number of units in Phase 1 of the
development project at the Mountain. Club Med’s
philosophy and vision embrace our concept perfectly.
Club Med wishes to integrate itself into the overall
Massif de Charlevoix project. Therefore no sacrifices
will be made in regards to concept, values or
intentions. It comes as a project add-on, and not in any
way as a replacement," affirms Daniel Gauthier.
At a Crossroads
For some time now, Groupe Le Massif has been seeking
world-calibre partners for its Mountain development
project. Circumstances recently favoured a meeting
between the two parties as Club Med is currently vying
to set up new ski destinations across Canada and the
U.S. "Club Med has been approached by 40 destinations in
North America. Among these various opportunities, we
have retained five that show strong potential. Of the
five, Le Massif de Charlevoix might very well
become the first Club Med in Canada. We are
therefore entering into negotiations with Groupe Le
Massif to assess details and reach an agreement on the
feasibility of such a project," explained Xavier
Mufraggi, President and CEO of Club Med Canada. "Club
Med’s interest confirms Le Massif de Charlevoix’s vast
tourism potential. It
coincides perfectly with our aspiration to offer
all-inclusive lodgings at the Mountain. It is
nevertheless important to mention that this hotel, which
will be jointly operated with Club Med, represents only
a portion of the Mountain’s overall lodging offer. As
initially planned, a range of accommodations will be
proposed to suit every taste, and every budget,"
continued Mr Gauthier.
The Values behind the Core Concerns
A notable presence at the most prestigious ski areas on
the globe − Chamonix, Val d’Isère, Saint-Moritz and
Méribel − Club Med is one of the most important mountain
hotel networks in the world. Integrated into the overall
project, this potential partnership based on shared
orientations would also provide continuity. Le Massif de
Charlevoix’s ever-growing success is due to its concept
and values, and all agreements are assessed within this
context. "If a lodging partnership agreement is reached
it is because Club Med’s fundamental principles mirror
those of Groupe Le Massif. Both innovation-driven
organizations aim to propose a refreshed, avant-garde
tourist offer. Strongly advocating sustainable
development backed by rigorous local purchasing and
hiring policies, Club Med is a globally recognized
marketing and sales powerhouse. With 80 clubs across 5
continents and 26 countries including 20 mountain
destinations, and with 1.2 million guests per year, Club
Med is a world leader in tourism and the hospitality
industry," stated Daniel Gauthier.
Positive Spin-Offs for Entire Region
The eventual arrival of a Club Med in the region would
have an extremely positive effect on Quebec City and the
Charlevoix. Not only would Le Massif de Charlevoix and
the region enjoy newfound international status, but
local attractions and businesses would also greatly
benefit from the increase in tourist visits and new
year-round clienteles. Moreover, its arrival would
represent the creation of approximately 350 to 400
direct jobs. In short, the entire region stands to gain
from this potential partnership.
Club Med, a Trend-Setting World Leader
By way of a refreshed tourist offer, since 2003 the
inventor of the all-inclusive vacation resort concept,
Club Med, has adopted new dynamics that herald in
changes to meet the expectations of a clientele seeking
exceptional vacation experiences. Club Med has
repositioned itself with 4 and 5 Trident ratings
(equivalent to hotel star classification), with families
as their target clientele. Moreover, its children’s
programs for tots and teens from 4 months to 17 years
are ranked number 1 worldwide. With over 50 years’
experience, it is known as the ski destination
specialist. Club Med villages generate over 8 million
hotel days sold per annum, with an average occupancy
rate of 85%.
Le Massif de
Charlevoix, a Land of Original, Authentic Experiences
From Québec City to La
Malbaie and Petite-Rivière-Saint-François to Baie-Saint-Paul, Le
Massif de Charlevoix is
a vacation destination that unfurls across three
distinct environments: The Mountain, Hôtel
La Ferme and
the Train. At
the heart of larger than life landscapes between
mountains and sea, Le Massif de Charlevoix is proposing
a refreshed tourist experience in synergy with the
environment, and the community.
Source & Information:
SARAH M. MATTHEWS, Conseillère
en communications / Communications Adviser
Tél.: 418
948.1725, poste: 27 Cell.: 418 932.4023 Téléc.: 418
948.9039
GROUPE LE MASSIF INC
2505, boul. Laurier, bureau 200, Québec, QC G1V 2L2
“The
29 African Member States of Francophonie
represent about 200 million people on 41.8%
of Africa's surface. Africa has the youngest
and largest population in the community of
Francophone states, making it the spearhead
of tomorrow's Francophone world.”
Francophonie Summit ,
Quebec City 2008
 The
12th Francophonie Summit will take place in Quebec
City on October 17 to 19, 2008. The meeting
is expected to attract heads of state and
government as well as representatives from more
than 60 countries, making it one of the largest
international events ever to be held in Canada.
Four main themes will be discussed at the Summit:
democracy and the rule of law, economic governance,
the environment, and the French
language.
An agreement was signed in
2006 stating that Canada and Quebec will co-host
the Summit and that Canada will be the chair. New
Brunswick is a partner. Another agreement on the
financial and administrative details of organizing
the Summit was signed in June 2007. The Secretariat
of the Summit officially began its work in
September 2007. The Government of Canada's
financial contribution toward the Summit will be
close to $57 million, including security
costs.
This will be the third
Francophonie Summit to be held in Canada, the first
having taken place in Quebec City in
1987 and
the second in Moncton, New Brunswick, in
1999.
http://www.quebecregion.com/e/
http://www.bonjourquebec.com/qc-en/accueil0.html
Message from Prime
Minister Stephen Harper
For Canada, 2008 is a very
special year, because in addition to celebrating
together the 400th anniversary of the founding of
Quebec City, we are getting ready to host the 12th
Francophone Summit in Quebec City. Ever since the
Francophonie was founded in 1970, Canada has played
a leading role in expanding the Francophonie's
outreach at the international level. It is an
honour for Canada to host the upcoming Francophone
Summit in Quebec City, from October 17 to 19,
2008.
Canada is proud to be a part of
this prominent community of 68 states and
Governments, and to work on behalf of a modern,
effective Francophonie. Canada places special
importance on promoting cultural and linguistic
diversity within this international body, as well
as democratic development, human rights,
strengthening the rule of law, and peace and human
security.
 The
400th anniversary of the founding of Quebec
City reminds us that French is Canada's founding
language. Since that date, we truly began to become
what we are today, as the founding of Quebec City
also marks the founding of the Canadian
state.
So, the year 2008 is an
opportunity for us to let the rest of the world
discover the vitality and vibrancy of all of
Canada's Francophone communities, in every region,
and to highlight how much the contribution of the
nine million French-speaking Canadians has marked
both our country's history and its
future.
I wish all of you an
excellent Journée internationale de la
Francophonie"
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