Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec sets sights on foreign markets

Magnificent natural sites, seemingly endless hunting and fishing grounds, breathtaking landscapes, quality accommodations and services… These are only a few of the words that sum up the charm of Quebec’s outfitting operations. Stamped with the mark of excellence, it is hardly surprising that these establishments have been enjoying an ever-growing rise in popularity.

Quebec boasts more than 600 such outfitting operations on its territory. Present in virtually every region, these establishments together attract roughly 425,000 visitors each year, providing jobs to some 6,000 Quebecers and generating more than $200 million in annual economic spinoffs for the province. These numbers speak volumes on the important role the outfitting industry plays in strengthening the Quebec economy.

A warm welcome to foreign visitors!

Like many other sectors of the economy, the Quebec outfitting industry is faced with heightened market competition and needs to rely on shrewd strategy to ensure its growth and expansion. The 375 members of the Fédération des pourvoiries du Québec (FPQ) are therefore setting their sights on wooing a greater number of hunting and fishing enthusiasts from the rest of Canada and abroad, who currently only account for about a quarter of these operations’ annual clientele.   

The FPQ launched its promotional campaign to showcase the enormous tourism potential of the Quebec regions in which its member outfitters have a distinctive product to offer. By proposing an array of year-round outdoor activities, these establishments will be in a position not only to attract and command the loyalty of numerous visitors, but also to bolster their occupancy rates during non-peak seasons.

Diversified products and partnerships

“To ensure the growth of our industry, it is important that we strengthen our foothold in existing markets, but even more so that we tap into new market opportunities. This new approach demands a diversified tourism offering. We need only think, for example, of such things as wilderness resorts or forest lodges,” explains FPQ President and Executive Director Marc Plourde. “Developing new market niches like agri-tourism and snowmobile tours can only benefit the regions. To achieve our goal, we are also looking to forge partnerships with major foreign associations and to establish solid relations with international media specializing in hunting and fishing.”

The promotional efforts of FPQ-member outfitters on markets outside Quebec are sure to foster the growth and viability of these operations while furthering Quebec’s standing as a prime tourist destination. The outfitters’ secret is simple: finding the right balance between innovativeness and continuity.