Tourism PEI announced the launch of two new French tourism publications to be delivered to the public early in the year 2002. A new French visitors guide and coupon book will provide French-speaking travellers with a separate French version of the English guide and coupon book.
"We are cognizant of the fact that our Quebec market shows strong potential to grow and deserves better servicing and, to that end, we have always wanted to provide more information in their language," noted Minister Deighan. "Up until this year, only those who paid for a French version of their listing were added to the guide. The Tourism Marketing Authority did extensive research and came up with a viable way for ALL listings in the Visitors Guide to be translated and, as a result, we have created a separate French-language guide with all the information needed for a great vacation on Prince Edward Island."
The Visitors Guide is one of the main tools used by the tourism industry to relay information to the public. Through this means, potential visitors are able to research accommodations, restaurants, activities, touring products and general information about Prince Edward Island.
"An added bonus to this enhanced product is the fact that every listing is now available on line as well," said the Minister. "If you are listed in the hard copy of the Visitors Guide, you are there in English and French, both in the publication and on the Internet creating an invaluable tool for those who wish to use their computer to research their upcoming vacation. The visibility of properties has been increased substantially, and our potential visitors are getting the greatest amount of information possible in order to make decisions about their vacation here. I am really pleased that we can offer all of the information in both languages."
A large part of the credit towards having the Guide translated goes to the government body responsible for translation. It was no small feat to translate all the listings, and this service was undertaken by Translation Services of the Acadian and Francophone Affairs Division, making the project viable with costs kept to a minimum.
The new year will see 60,000 guides printed as well as 60,000 coupon books all completely in French. Some of these publications are used in mailouts to fulfil requests through telephone calls, internet requests or responses to special promotions, and the rest will be used across Prince Edward Island to be handed to visitors upon their arrival to Visitor Information Centres.
TMA member Jeannette Arsenault commented, "This is absolutely fantastic! It is a great example of the Tourism Marketing Authority and Tourism PEI response to industry's concerns and suggestions." She went on to say, "The printing of the French Visitors Guide and Coupon Book should increase French visitors to our province. With the high American dollar, our Quebec visitors will now find Prince Edward Island the perfect place to spend their holidays."