Become an ambassador for Pontiac was the message expressed for day one at Chutes Coulonge. The first day of the two-day Customer Experience Training session was offered by the SADC Pontiac and MRC Pontiac on June 27.
Eleven tourism and business people registered for the course on Customer Experience and Front Line Employee Training. An in-class info-session and presentation on day one with an introduction of various publicity materials including promotional maps, cards, books and pamphlets to bring awareness to the beautiful sites and destinations Pontiac has to offer. Tourism Coordinator at the MRC Pontiac Chantal Lair, went through the Pontiac Travel Guide page by page giving the group knowledge and a better understanding of what is available to tourists and visitors.

Lair stressed that knowledge is key. From activities and events, accommodations, attractions, to trails and more, Lair explained to the participants to know the region to be front line tourism ambassadors.
“The current demographic is the 45 to 60 age,” Lair explained. “Many are families looking for activities that all ages can participate in.”
A brief of our many lakes and Zec regions was highlighted. Some Zec regions are open to anyone and some are private. Information on the rivers, golf courses, paragliding, dog sledding, PPJ and museums was also explained by Lair.
Front line was a term used often during the day and more defined by Mylène Denault and Sean McDonnell of Tourism Outaouais in their presentations.
“You will become memory makers this summer,” Denault said. “Show your clientele the wow factor.” Front line staff should be ambassadors for the Pontiac and Outaouais region. A good reference for visitors and clientele.”
Over four million visitors come to our region a year. One third of the visitors come to visit friends and relatives. Pontiac and the Outaouais are the sixth region tourists choose to visit in Quebec, out of the 22 regions in the province.
$495 million is spent on tourism in Quebec and in 2017, over one million visitors will come. There are 600 memberships in the Outaouais, basic membership is approximately $300.
You can visit the Tourism Outaouais website at tourismeoutaouais.com for more details.
Denault went on to say the Outaouais is 33,000 sq. km. with 20,000 lakes and 800 km of Sentiers de Vélo (biking trails) and Gatineau is the fourth most important city in Quebec and Ottawa/Gatineau is fourth in Canada.
Everyone has different reasons for visiting our region. You need to be able to listen closely to your customers to better direct them and advise them of places they will have great experiences.
“Listening is key,” Denault stressed. “The better you listen … the better experience visitors will have when you direct them to other destinations they can experience.” Denault asked that three key hashtags you can tell your customers, visitors and friends to share about their experiences in Pontiac are #pontiacnature, #outaouaisfun, and #share/participate. Sharing these hashtags spreads the word with those you and your visitors associate with on social media.
Day two: Exceptional, exciting and exhillerating. First stop was the newly erected sign of Les Chemin d’eau, history of the Pontiac rivers located at Bryson House in Fort Coulonge. This is a drive-only tour to see these sites.
Over to Spruceholme Inn and the Pontiac Conference Centre for a grand tour of the century old home complete with traditional decor in every room including the new conference centre. Two new cabins have been built and a hotel is in the process of construction just behind the George Bryson home.
Then off to Esprit Rafting for the new wakeboard experience. The newest addition to fun at Esprit, where a remotely controlled cable line takes you back and forth from the shore to an island on a wake board. Obstacles and jumps are on the course for more experienced boarders. An absolute must for anyone who enjoys water skiing or snowboarding.
Allumettes Outfitters was our next stop. This four-season resort on the Ottawa River has two newly-built two-bedroom chalets with all the amenities. Outside of hunting, fishing and family vacation adventures, this destination offers snowmobiling, cross country skiing, ice fishing and snowshoeing, complete with restaurant, salt water pool and hot tub, with an amazing view atop the outdoor patio.
Welcome to the Fort is the catch phrase for owner Trevor Miller of Hotel Pontiac in Fort William. This popular beach spot established in 1857 hosts waterfront cabins, two newly built cabins and a new RV park. Meals are available and a full bar is open Wednesday to Sunday. With more renovations and expansions to come, this is truly a beautiful summer destination for the many generations of American and Canadian tourists it draws.
The final part of the FAM (Familiarization) tour was the Black River, one of the Three Sister Rivers. Many companies offer rentals, excursions and shuttles on the river. We were met by Murphy Throp, owner of Adventure Source Expeditions who was paddle boarding the Black River. Valerie Malette from our group mastered the paddle board easily, confirming her interest in bringing friends back. Throp owns a campground on Allumettes Island and runs tours, shuttles and rentals, and is your outdoor go-to-guy.