The fourth largest city in Quebec, Gatineau naturally benefits from its proximity to Ottawa, the national capital of Canada, for hosting corporate events. But that’s no reason to sit back and do nothing. With this in mind, Tourisme Outaouais has just finished posting promotional videos online which are a hit.
“These are 14 short virtual capsules which present 14 establishments and attractions in the region,” explains Tracy Campbell, delegate, business market, for Tourisme Outaouais. “This is one of our biggest accomplishments in recent years. It’s a very effective tool. I have better feedback from customers. »
The contiguity of Ottawa, its international airport and its VIA Rail train station makes Gatineau a destination of choice, maintains Ms. Campbell.
According to her, reservations have stabilized in recent months. “The post-COVID-19 madness is behind us,” she says. People are now planning more in advance. »
Outaouais has four main meeting places for business customers. Three of them are located in Gatineau. The Gatineau Convention Center, to which a Four Points by Sheraton hotel is attached, is the largest in the region with its 14 rooms totaling 55,000 square feet. The capacity can reach 1,500 guests in a banquet format.
The other best-known establishments are the Canadian Museum of History and the Hilton Lac-Leamy, which includes a casino and a convention center. The latter’s employees were on strike at the time of writing. There is also the prestigious Fairmont Château Montebello, located about 45 minutes from downtown Gatineau.
Despite himself, Denis Carpentier, sales director at the Palais des congrès de Gatineau, indirectly benefits from the labor conflict at the Lac Leamy hotel establishment. But beyond this economic opportunity, the manager explains that the return of the good days pre-COVID-19 was palpable.
The other good news, according to Mr. Carpentier, is that the gradual return of federal civil servants to downtown Gatineau means the arrival of a clientele previously absent since the advent of teleworking on the sidelines of the pandemic.
“Around us there are 28,000 civil servants. Many of them return to the office two or three times a week. The government is starting to hold meetings again or offer training in our facilities,” rejoices Denis Carpentier.
Elsewhere in the region, Lofts du Village, in Chelsey (10 minutes from Gatineau), has just doubled its accommodation offering, from 12 to around 30 units. Otherwise, several establishments, including the Château Cartier Hôtel