A market in full bud

Ecotourism is in full bloom in Quebec. Each year, the sector generates some $800 million in tourism spending, which represents 10% of the overall tourism dollars spent in the province. Saint-Gabriel-de-Rimouski entrepreneurs Chantal Vallée and Éric Gagné decided to get in on the budding action in this sector by turning to the centuries-old trees of Domaine Valga and the Forêt de maître Corbeau. Today, the pair welcomes an ever-growing number of visitors from here and across Europe who are discovering new-found happiness in the trees.

In 2003, the two began operating this charming little vacation village, which features a log inn, two cottages, a lake with plenty of fish and a challenging network of aerial trails nestled in an ancient forest boasting nearly 500 year-old trees.

The irresistible pull of aerial trails

While the scenic beauty and tranquility of the surroundings remain a large part of the site’s appeal, an increasing number of visitors are being drawn by the thrill of the aerial trails. The Forêt de maître Corbeau, as it is known, offers young and old alike the opportunity to experience nature at its finest with 64 tree-top challenges open year round.

Chantal Vallée and Éric Gagné, lovers of the great outdoors themselves, continue to find new and innovative ways to ensure the sustainable development of their ecotourism business. They recently turned to Canada Economic Development for support under the Community Economic Diversification Initiative—Vitality to carry out a two-pronged project aimed at marketing Domaine Valga outside of Quebec and building new infrastructure.

Canada Economic Development has been a partner of Domaine Valga from the very outset. In the enterprise’s first year of operations, its projection of 3,000 visitors was largely surpassed when 7,000 passed through its turnstiles. Since that time, Domaine Valga has continued to see its visitor traffic grow and, as a result, has created no less than 18 jobs in this small Bas-Saint-Laurent community.

“Without the help of Canada Economic Development, the Forêt de maître Corbeau would never have been able to offer the scope and quality of facilities it does today. We are proud to have created a regional product whose quality meets and often surpasses those available in larger centres,” Éric Gagné explained.