The Quebec government has announced a new round of financial backing for the province’s agrotourism federation as it plans to broaden its scope heading into 2010.
Tourism Minister Nicole Menard recently announced a grant of just over $200,000 over the next three years for the Federation des Agricotours du Quebec (FAQ).
The federation represents agrotourism operators in sectors such as maple syrup, vineyards, artisanal cheeses, livestock and farm-based interpretive centres across the province.
The FAQ’s president, Pierre Pilon, operator of La Rabouillere at St-Valerien-de-Milton, described the organization as a key actor in the development of agrotourism.
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In 2010, Pilon said, the FAQ is to change its corporate name to the Association de l’Agrotourisme et du Tourisme Gourmand du Quebec, laying out the food tourism component in its work.
The province’s funding for the FAQ will flow through a financial aid program for tourism sector associations.
The Montreal-based non-profit FAQ’s history dates back to the 1970s, when its members were largely involved in the on-farm bed-and-breakfast sector. It now also offers certifications for country inns, country-style dining, farm exploration, farm-based shops and terroir (regional) cuisine.
