Government of Canada Lends Support to 2012 Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival

GATINEAU, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - July 31, 2012) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that Festival de montgolfières de Gatineau Inc. has been granted funding from the Government of Canada. This financial assistance will serve for the commercialization of the 2012 Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival on domestic and international markets through the use of new technology (social media, mobile applications and transactional Web sites).

"In supporting the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival, the Government of Canada is demonstrating its firm commitment to furthering the development of tourism, a key sector for the Outaouais economy," commented Minister Lebel.

"We are very happy about this federal funding, all the more so given that our unparalleled event showcases local talent and allows the organization's large-scale projects to shine on the international stage," noted Guy Leblanc, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival.

The financial assistance will enable Festival de montgolfières de Gatineau Inc. to pursue the Web marketing activities it has been undertaking for several years in an effort to draw a greater number of Canadian and foreign visitors to the event. This non-profit organization, a member both of the Outaouais regional tourism association (ATR) and of Festivals et Événements Québec, helps promote the economic and tourism development of the Outaouais region. The Gatineau Hot Air Balloon Festival is one of the largest annual family events held in the vicinity of the nation's capital.

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This funding, granted in the form of a $70,000 non-repayable contribution, has been awarded through Canada Economic Development's Quebec Economic Development Program.

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