The Outaouais hosts the largest gathering of buyers in Quebec’s tourism industry!

Outaouais, October 19, 2026 – This week, the Outaouais region is hosting some 400 tourism industry professionals for Bienvenue Québec 2026, which runs through October 21 at the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy. For Outaouais Tourism and its partners, the goal is simple: to showcase the essence of the destination, where urban vibrancy meets vast natural spaces, to the attendees, inspiring them to include these attractions in the itineraries and packages they offer their clients.

Organized by the Fédération des transporteurs par autobus, Bienvenue Québec gathers tour operators and travel agencies seeking destinations, attractions, and experiences for their clients. Over the course of three days, they meet with businesses and tourism representatives, mostly from across Quebec. Each meeting is an opportunity for participants to develop partnerships that will help attract new visitors to the region.

This edition provides the Outaouais region with a major showcase for markets outside Quebec. Among the registered buyers, 32% are from Quebec, 44% from the rest of Canada, 17% from the United States, and 7% from other international markets. Their presence also generates immediate economic benefits for the destination, with nearly 1,000 overnight stays directly linked to Bienvenue Québec 2026.

From October 19 to 21, a series of meetings will take place at the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy. Outaouais Tourism will be there with a booth featuring the destination’s colors, alongside representatives from our five territories: City of Gatineau, Petite Nation, Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, Pontiac, and the Collines-de-l’Outaouais.

Beyond these meetings, Outaouais Tourism and its partners are taking advantage of the professionals’ visit to introduce them to the Outaouais firsthand. On October 18, excursions allowed them to explore different facets of the region across its five territories. An exclusive evening at Square Old Chelsea was also on the menu.

This evening, the official opening ceremony will take place against the iconic backdrop of the Canadian Museum of History. Guests will enjoy a themed event highlighting the beautiful diversity of the Outaouais, a destination where the energy of the city meets nature and the great outdoors.

On October 20, participants will be invited to discover various restaurants in the region before gathering at Club Aléa for an evening hosted by the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy and the Ottawa Boat Cruise.

“Hosting Bienvenue Québec means showcasing our region to hundreds of tourism industry professionals. With more than two-thirds of buyers coming from outside Quebec, this is an exceptional opportunity to promote the Outaouais as a destination beyond our borders and have it added directly to visitor’s travel journals and itineraries. In addition to the immediate economic benefits generated by the event, the connections forged will help integrate the Outaouais region into new tour itineraries and travel packages, thereby generating lasting economic benefits for the entire region”, said Geneviève Latulippe, CEO of Outaouais Tourism.

“Group travel plays an essential role in the development of responsible tourism by encouraging the discovery of our regions and collective travel throughout the territory. Behind every tour, an entire tourism ecosystem is set in motion, from coach operators to lodging establishments, restaurants, and tourist attractions. The success of Bienvenue Québec demonstrates the vitality of this sector and its ability to gather professionals from here and abroad around a shared goal: to promote Quebec and create new business opportunities”, said Luc Fortin, CEO of the Fédération des transporteurs par autobus.

“We are very proud to host Bienvenue Québec 2026 at the Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy. This event is a wonderful opportunity to showcase the vibrancy of the Outaouais region and build meaningful relationships with tourism industry professionals. Together with Outaouais Tourism and our partners, we are pleased to help raise the profile of our destination and support the continued growth of its tourism industry,” said Kevin Taylor, Executive Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer, Casinos and Gaming Halls, at Loto-Québec.

As the official partner of Bienvenue Québec 2026, Outaouais Tourism would like to thank the organizations and businesses that contributes to the event’s success and to the destination’s visibility!

Event Organizer
Fédération des transporteurs par autobus

Our major partner members
Canadian Museum of History, Hôtel-Casino du Lac-Leamy, Ottawa Boat Cruise, Square Old Chelsea 

Our collaborating members
À La Dérive Brasserie Artisanale, Aventure Outaouais, Arbraska Laflèche, Cabane à sucre la coulée, Canadian Museum of Nature, Centre d’art populaire du Québec, Chutes Coulonge Park, Fairmont Le Château Montebello, Four Points by Sheraton & Centre de conférences Gatineau-Ottawa, Fromagerie Montebello, Fromagerie St-Albert, Gray Line, Habitude Design, Haunted Walk of Ottawa, Hôtel Quality Inn & Suites Gatineau, Khewa, Kîsisam Pâtisserie, Le Parc Gatineau, Tapestry collection by Hilton, Manoir Papineau National Historic Site (Parks Canada), MRC de la Vallée-de-la-Gatineau, MRC de Papineau, MRC de Pontiac, MRC des Collines-de-l’Outaouais, National Gallery of Canada, Orkestra, Ottawa Tourism, Ottawa Tours, Parc national de Plaisance (SÉPAQ), Parc Oméga, Québec des Explorateurs, Rafting Momentum, Royal Canadian Mint, Select Aviation, The Village House, Verger Merleau, Village Majopial, Ville de Gatineau

About Outaouais Tourism
Outaouais Tourism is a private, not-for-profit organization created by and for the tourism industry over 40 years ago. A preferred contact and partner of the Quebec government in the tourism field, Outaouais Tourism contributes to the region’s economic development by coordinating regional tourism plans and projects, visitor services, information, promotion, marketing and development. 

About the Fédération des transporteurs par autobus
The Fédération des transporteurs par autobus brings together nearly 700 members involved in passenger transportation across Québec, including private carriers, bus manufacturers, and product and service providers. Together, they contribute to building safe, efficient, and sustainable mobility.

For information

Outaouais Tourism
Alice Charbonneau-Bernier 
Senior Communications and Public Affaires Manager
acharbonneau-bernier@tourisme-outaouais.ca  
C. : 819 576-3185 

Fédération des transporteurs par autobus 
Karine Parent
Director of Events and Communications
kparent@federationautobus.com
418 476-8181 #213