Government of Canada Renews Support for Commercialization of Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallee

GASPÉ, QUEBEC--(Marketwire - Nov. 17, 2011) - The Honourable Denis Lebel, Minister of Transport, Infrastructure and Communities and Minister of the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announces that Village en chanson de Petite-Vallée has been granted funding for the domestic and foreign commercialization of its music festival.

"For many years, the Festival en chanson de Petite-Vallée has been able to count on the financial support of the Government of Canada, which has helped the event increase its visibility and success," said Minister Lebel.

On the eve of its 30th anniversary, the Festival invites the public to a major summer musical gathering that has become an internationally-recognized tourist attraction. The two-year project is aimed at supporting efforts to commercialize the Festival en Chanson de Petite-Vallée on Canadian and foreign markets. The financial assistance from Canada Economic Development will serve specifically to help promote this event to francophone markets in New Brunswick, Ontario and elsewhere in the world, including Louisiana and France. Sales and networking activities will also be organized and promotional Web tools developed to help bolster attendance.

With its 17,000 visitors per year, Village en chanson, which also operates Théâtre de la Vieille Forge and Camp chanson, is an important economic engine for the community of Petite-Vallée and surrounding areas.

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This non-repayable contribution of $173,750 over two years, granted through Canada Economic Development's Community Diversification program, confirms the Agency's commitment to supporting the Gaspésie tourism industry.

To learn more about this event, visit www.festivalenchanson.com.

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