6 minute read
Interview: Caroline
50 / Interview
Talking Canada with Caroline Proulx
Minister of Tourism, Québec
Caroline Proulx, Minister of
Tourism for Québec, sits
down with Jessica Pook to discuss the new direct Air Transat route to Québec City and the steps the province is taking to promote its sustainable tourism initiatives.
The newly-launched Air Transat flight is the first air connection between the UK and Québec City. How important is this for Québec’s tourism recovery?
It has been a top priority for the Government of Québec to invest in our airports and airlift. This year 10 million Canadian dollars has been spent on ensuring that there are direct flights connecting our main markets, which includes the UK. We are thrilled that it is now easier than ever before for Brits to visit Québec as a result of the new Air Transat London-Gatwick to Québec City flight, the first non-stop service to connect both cities.
I think sometimes Canada can seem quite daunting because of its vast size but now Brits can get to Québec in just five hours – it’s practically short-haul!
Why should agents’ book Québec now?
Québec is a year-round destination. We’re finding that luxury adventure is a big trend for us. Québec offers rugged wilderness but still with an element of comfort. And in under 20 minutes you are in pure wilderness, with national Parks on the doorstep.
Québec has also always scored very highly in North America for its great food and creative chefs. We often compete with New York and Los Angeles when it comes to
gastronomy and both Montréal and Québec City are now really showcasing the region’s locally grown product. We also have over 150 micro-breweries.
What sets Québec apart from other destinations in Canada?
The beauty and passion of our language and culture. Promoting and protecting the French language is sacred to us. It influences our cuisine, our culture and the warmth in which we welcome guests and is something completely unique to anywhere else in Canada. Also, our festivals and events are at the heart of Québec City. Festival d’été de Québec draws major artists from across the world. Sir Elton John came a couple of years ago and it completely sold out.
Tell us about Québec’s Plan of Action for responsible and sustainable tourism development.
In June 2020 we launched a comprehensive Tourism Recovery Plan for the province – the most expansive of all the Canadian provinces – in order to help the industry
T OU r ISME L AU r ENTI d ES
the laurentides
navigate through the pandemic. Since then we have gone further by launching an official Plan of Action for responsible and sustainable tourism development, (the first in Canada) and have invested $30 million into green initiatives such as the development of electric car routes.
Our electric car circuit enables tourists to rent an electric car for the entirety of their stay, stopping off at key attractions which all have recharging points. By 2030 you will only be able to buy an electric car in Québec.
We’ve also secured UNESCO world heritage site status for Anticosti island and are looking into protecting Magdalen Island, a small archipelago in the Gulf of Saint Lawrence, against erosion and further climate change.
What is your top recommendation for those visiting Québec?
One of my most unforgettable travel experiences was sleeping with the wolves in Parc Omega. You stay overnight in these big luxury country houses with panoramic windows that separate you from the wolves but offer unrestricted views. We watched them as we dined and my kids absolutely loved getting so close to them. * The Air Transat flight operates once a week, on Wednesdays, and will operate from now until October. The airline has also resumed its London-Gatwick to Montréal service, a route that was shelved in 2019. bonjourquebec.com; airtransat.com •
Biking in Sun Peaks
Globe hopping SELLING CANADA Six of the best... Six of the best... Sponsored feature / / 51
Set amongst the pine clad mountains of British Columbia lies Sun Peaks Resort, a haven for biking enthusiasts, where novices and experts can enjoy extensive trails and the mountain resort village, says Charlotte Flach
Day 1: Start o slow
Morning: Following a hearty breakfast, stroll through the attractive resort village to your rental shop, where you can pick-up your two day lift ticket and bike rental at Elevation Bike, Ski and Board. There’s also the option to rent e-bikes.
If you are completely new to biking, you can begin with “An Introduction to Biking” to learn how to feel comfortable in the saddle. Afternoon: Having refuelled with tacos, pizza or burgers from one of the resort’s many lunch spots, meet your instructor to explore the novice terrain of the Progression Park. Split the four-hour “Discover Progression Park” lesson in two with a coff ee break in the village to compare notes with your instructor. Throughout the session you will learn about body positioning, stance, posture and bike control. The trails in the Progression Park will help to build confi dence before moving on to the Sun Peaks Bike Park. For the fi rst time this summer, bikers can access all three mountains off ering close to 83 kms of trails. Evening: After an exhilarating day on the bike, head to one of many restaurants throughout the village and quench your thirst with a pint of local craft beer. Sun Peaks hosts summer concerts and this year’s line-up includes singer-songwriter Madison Olds, indie pop-band Sister Speak, and a weekend of tribute bands.
Book it with... SunPeaks Resort A four-hour Progression Park instruction session is $229 for up to three people, with bike rental and progression park lift from $69pp. A two-hour Discover Biking lesson costs $109 for up to three people, with bike rental from $33pp. sunpeaksresort.com
SUN PEAKS OFFERS TRAILS DOWN THE MOUNTAIN FOR ALL LEVELS
CELEBRATE A DAY OF BIKING WITH A COLD LOCAL CRAFT BEER
SUN PEAKS VILLAGE
CYCLING AMONG WILDFLOWERS
Day 2: Pedal to the metal
Morning: Fuel up for another day of adventure with breakfast at one of the many cafés or restaurants in the Sun Peaks Village. Sample the fi nest fresh pastries at Bolacco Café, enjoy a refreshing smoothie at Vertical Café or take your time over an extended sit-down breakfast at Cahilty Creek Kitchen & Taproom. Afternoon: Now that you’ve gained confi dence and skills in the Progression Park, you’re ready to head into the Sun Peaks Bike Park. However, if you are a beginner a second four-hour session, “Flow Green Park”, accompanied by a talented and experienced instructor, will show you how to safely make your way back down the mountain. Don’t forget to take in the views of the valley and the surrounding peaks, as you ride the chairlift to the top of the trails. Explore the lift-access green trails and put the pedal to the metal on one of Sun Peaks’ newest trails, Level Up, a nine-kilometre top-to-bottom trail that has been designed for those new to the sport. Evening: After two full days on your bike, a quick stop by the Sun Peaks Massage Therapy to relax on their Hydro Massage Beds will put you to rights. As your aches melt away, start planning your next adventure – paddleboarding or canoeing on a local lake or hitting the fairways on the resort’s 18-hole course. •
