Increased Economic Benefits Focus of Growing Grosse-Île Cruise Ship Tourism

Public, private and civil society partners have agreed to work together to create a Public, Private, and Civil Society Venture to take greater advantage of the local tourism generated by the luxury cruise ships docking at Cap-aux-Meules each year.

Stakeholders in Grosse-Île, a community located on the eastern tip of the Magdalen Islands, are joining forces to develop and deliver a local tour about community life in Grosse-Île. The objective of this Collaborative Economic Development effort is to increase the number of cruise ship tourists visiting the community’s attractions and experiencing the day-to-day life of its residents.

Venture Partners include Autobus les Sillons, a transportation and local tour operator, Escale Îles-de-la-Madeleine, the regional tourism cruise ship promoter, the Council for Anglophone Magdalen Islanders (CAMI), Cap Dauphin Fishermen’s Cooperative, and the Municipality of Grosse-Île.

The Venture’s first tour will be ready for delivery in Spring 2024. A complete sales and marketing plan is in the works, and the economic benefits created by the tour’s operation will be tracked and assessed. The Venture will also explore the possibility of creating complementary tourism services and products to better serve the local cruise ship passenger market.

“It is exciting to see a dream come alive,” said Damien Déraspe, of Autobus Sillons. “It is very satisfying to collaborate with other partners to create tours that will showcase how we live and prosper in Grosse-Île. There is something very touching and human about life on the Magdalen Islands, and we are very proud to be able to share this with our visitors.”

“We have been working for years to develop cultural products that share the history and hospitality of Grosse-Île’s English-speaking community. The additional economic activity generated by this Venture will help our local businesses thrive and community members to find work in our regional tourism industry,” said Michel Vigneault, CAMI Executive Director.

“Our lobsters, scallops and halibut tend to be sold to the international luxury travel market. We’d be happy to see more of our international cruise ship visitors enjoying these delicacies, while experiencing our community spirit and history,” said Ruth Taker of the Cap Dauphin Fishermen’s Cooperative.

“We appreciate the opportunity to actively support this innovative and collaborative tourism initiative. I am certain it will become a highlight tour in our region,” said Denis Bourque, Director of L’Escale de la Madeleine.

“This is thrilling,” stated John Buck, President & CEO of CEDEC. “It is exciting to see how CEDEC’s Collaborative Economic Development efforts have mobilized public, private, and civil society partners across the Magdalen Islands to produce tangible economic benefits for individuals and businesses in the community of Grosse Ile and the surrounding region.”