Club Med to Open Canadian Ski Resort in Quebec

Club Med, the resort chain typically known for luxury beach vacations, will open their first North American ski resort in Canada, the company has announced.

The resort, which will offer 300 rooms including Club Med’s 4-Trident Club and Deluxe-level rooms, and a 5-Trident luxury space, will be located in the Le Massif de Charlevoix ski region of Québec and is expected to open in 2020.

Daniel Gauthier, chairman of the Board of Directors of Groupe Le Massif, and Xavier Mufraggi, president and CEO of Club Med North America, made the announcement Thursday.

“Today’s announcement is in direct alignment with the continued development of this significant project that will position Le Massif, Charlevoix, among one of the greatest international destinations.” said Gauthier, who initiated the project. “Club Med is a world-recognized symbol, promoting an active lifestyle, family and well-being. With shared values, the partnership between Club Med and Le Massif, Charlevoix, is one of authenticity.”

“It’s often said that you’ll only ever find a Club Med resort in the most beautiful places in the world.” said Mufraggi. “Charlevoix doesn’t need to have a Club Med to be included on this select list. That said, it is an honour and privilege to be amongst those creating worldwide awareness for this spectacular part of the country.”

Le Massif de Charlevoix originally opened as a ski resort in the 1970s and was purchased in 2002 by Gauthier, who co-founded Cirque du Soleil. The project brings Club Med’s all-inclusive mountain vacation model to this ski region, which is located at the highest point in Eastern Canada. The resort will offer a unique ski experience and waterfront views overlooking the Saint Lawrence River.

Club Med’s Le Massif resort will be Club Med's first four season, mountain resort and “promises to be a haven for family and couple getaways as well as ideal for groups, with spaces provided to accommodate seminars and events.” said the new release. Groupe Le Massif and Club Med aim to offer a four-season product that emphasizes Quebec’s strongest touristic features of the region from Quebec to Tadoussac.

“Club Med is the world leader in all-inclusive mountain hotels and resorts.”Mufraggi continued. “With more than 20 sites already established in France, Italy, Switzerland, Japan and China counting for more than 6000 rooms, we’re excited to add Canada (and specifically Quebec) to the list. Each season will reveal the wonders of this natural site, offering an international clientele a place of beauty to discover. Also, this project serves as a strategic symbol of rapid growth around the world for Club Med, with fifteen openings taking place through 2019, representing one to two mountain resorts openings per year.”

The Government of Canada, through the Canada Economic Development (CED) for Quebec Regions agency, is providing $9.85 million CA in funding for the project.

"By investing in the construction of a hotel at Le Massif in the Charlevoix region, the Government of Canada is standing by its commitment.” said the Honourable Navdeep Bains, federal minister of innovation, science and economic development, who holds responsibility for the CED. “We help organizations expand, innovate and promote tourism. This, in turn, results in the creation of high-quality jobs, vitalizes the regions and ensures a prosperous Canadian economy."

Other partners in the project include the government of Quebec, Cirque du Soleil co-founder Guy Laliberté and Lune Rouge, Investissement Québec, Pierre Thabet, and Groupe Germain, with Desjardins and the National Bank of Canada pledging their support. The project will also count on Bell as a long standing major sponsor of the Massif de Charlevoix.

The project is also expected to benefit several major players within the regions of Quebec and Charlevoix, including Québec City Jean Lesage International Airport, which is a mere 90-minutes drive from the resort and forecasts a 6 per cent increase in flights directly connected to this project.

Club Med, which was founded in 1950, is recognized as a pioneer of the all-inclusive market and offers almost 70 premium resorts around the world including North and South America, the Caribbean, Asia, Africa, Europe and the Mediterranean.

While Club Med has had a corporate presence in Canada for over 40 years, with a staff of more than 50 in their Montreal head office, Le Massif will be the company’s first resort in Canada.

The project will also reinforce the Club Med brand with Canadians, 40,000 of whom stay at a Club Med resort each year, with the biggest majority of those coming from Quebec.

“In many ways, Quebec has been at the heart of Club Med. Now, finally, Club Med will be at the heart of Quebec,” said Mr. Mufraggi.

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