Petite-Rivière-St.-François (QC), Canada – The ever-expanding Le Massif de Charlevoix resort project in Quebec is about to grow again with the addition of a Club Med facility.
At a conference held by Quebec City’s Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Groupe Le Massif’s Chairman of the Board of Directors, Daniel Gauthier, announced that a letter of mutual interest was signed between Club Med and Groupe Le Massif to enter into a partnership agreement to jointly operate a Club Med located at the ski resort in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François, an hour northeast of Quebec City.
“Negotiations concern the joint operation of a 300-room hotel by December 2015,” said Gauthier. “This represents 24% of the total number of units in Phase 1 of the development project at the Mountain. Club Med’s philosophy and vision embrace our concept perfectly. Club Med wishes to integrate itself into the overall Massif de Charlevoix project. Therefore no sacrifices will be made in regards to concept, values or intentions. It comes as a project add-on, and not in any way as a replacement.”
Groupe Le Massif has been seeking partners for its Mountain development project for some time now, and Club Med is currently working to establish new ski destinations across Canada and the U.S.
“Club Med has been approached by 40 destinations in North America. Among these various opportunities, we have retained five that show strong potential. Of the five, Le Massif de Charlevoix might very well become the first Club Med in Canada. We are therefore entering into negotiations with Groupe Le Massif to assess details and reach an agreement on the feasibility of such a project,” explained Xavier Mufraggi, President and CEO of Club Med Canada.
“Club Med’s interest confirms Le Massif de Charlevoix’s vast tourism potential. It coincides perfectly with our aspiration to offer all-inclusive lodgings at the Mountain. It is nevertheless important to mention that this hotel, which will be jointly operated with Club Med, represents only a portion of the Mountain’s overall lodging offer. As initially planned, a range of accommodations will be proposed to suit every taste, and every budget,” added Gauthier.
Already an established at European ski resorts including Chamonix, Val d’Isère, Saint-Moritz and Méribel, Club Med is one of the most recognized mountain hotel networks in the world. Club Med villages generate over eight million hotel days sold per annum, with an average occupancy rate of 85%.
“If a lodging partnership agreement is reached it is because Club Med’s fundamental principles mirror those of Groupe Le Massif. Both innovation-driven organizations aim to propose a refreshed, avant-garde tourist offer,” Gauthier asserted. “Strongly advocating sustainable development backed by rigorous local purchasing and hiring policies, Club Med is a globally recognized marketing and sales powerhouse. With 80 clubs across five continents and 26 countries including 20 mountain destinations, and with 1.2 million guests per year, Club Med is a world leader in tourism and the hospitality industry.”
Proponents estimate that the construction of a Club Med at Le Massif would represent the creation of approximately 350 to 400 direct jobs.