Montreal hopes to attract French tourists for 375th anniversary
March trade mission to Paris seeks to highlight city's culture, business attractions
Montreal will be courting French residents this week, hoping to convince them to visit the city for its 375th anniversary celebrations.
A trade mission from Montreal arrived in Paris on Sunday with the aim of showcasing the city's business, cultural and tourist attractions.
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Montréal à Paris, which is in its second year, is organized by Tourism Montreal, the Chamber of Commerce and the Montreal World Trade Centre.
Montreal chefs, business owners and local beer makers have one week to make pitches to their French counterparts. Former premier Pierre Marc Johnson will also be attending and hosting a conference.
The goal is to build a better connection between the two cities while boosting business development and tourism in Montreal.
Yves Lalumière, CEO and president of Tourism Montreal, said the mission also represents a chance to promote the City of Montreal's upcoming 375th anniversary celebrations in 2017.
The number of French tourists who visit Montreal has shot up by 15 per cent over the last five years, said Lalumière.
Montréal à Paris runs until March 10.