November 30, 2007 * Tourism [to Jan 2010]More than ever, tourists are planning their vacations on-line. In an effort to reach out to as many prospective visitors as possible, the Honourable Valerie Docherty, Minister of Tourism today announced an initiative that will help Island tourism operators translate their websites into French. This assistance will be available to operators who provide French services to Francophone visitors. “This is a way for our tourism operators to reach out, via the web, to visitors who may not have been aware of the level of service available in their own language on PEI,” said Minister Docherty. “It will increase their options for vacation choices – options that may not have had web profiles in the past.” Translation services will be available to those operators who have staff able to converse in French. They will identify on-line whether they provide “French Services” or “Some French Services.” This is a two-year program. For this year, work will start December 1, 2007 and should be completed by March 15, 2008. It will also offer services to Acadian tourism operators who want their French websites translated into English.Media Contact: Jennifer MacDonald