The Outaouais tests Quebec’s bet on sustainable tourism

Tashi Farmilo

Quebec is testing whether tourism can strengthen communities and protect the environment, and the Outaouais is being asked to prove it. Earlier this year, Minister Caroline Proulx introduced the Stratégie de croissance durable du tourisme 2025–2030, describing tourism as a critical economic driver that must also support regional vitality and environmental stewardship.

The minister has emphasised that every tourism dollar should be seen as a strategic investment in the province’s collective future, underscoring that sustainable development is now central to Quebec’s approach to the industry. She has framed the strategy as a means to anchor tourism firmly in local priorities while ensuring it contributes to climate goals.

In the Outaouais, this vision is already visible. Near Wakefield, Terre & Neige eco-cottages use reclaimed materials, local seasonal food, electric vehicle charging and tree-planting programs. In Gatineau, the Wakefield Mill Hotel and Spa, the province’s first LEED-certified lodging, continues to operate with low-impact systems and energy efficiency. These projects align with the strategy’s goals of reducing environmental impacts while supporting community well-being.

Nature-based tourism is expanding across the Outaouais. Kenauk Nature offers off-grid chalets and conservation programs that combine low-impact travel with biodiversity research. Arbraska Laflèche Park is broadening its adventure offerings with aerial attractions and underground tours, with plans to add treetop camping to its eco-tourism lineup.

Local food and cultural experiences are woven into this evolution. Les Fougères restaurant uses produce from on-site gardens and nearby suppliers, while the Chemin des Outaouais offers a Camino-style walking route through Gatineau Park and surrounding communities, encouraging slow, respectful travel.

The strategy encourages a bottom-up approach, prioritising projects that advance climate resilience, accessibility and regenerative practices while ensuring that local communities guide development. It calls for municipalities, Indigenous communities and local organisations to shape projects that reflect local needs.

Federal and provincial support continues to help the sector transition. Funding has backed projects in the Outaouais that sustain jobs while moving toward sustainability goals, and regional development programs have supported eco-tourism businesses, local festivals and cleaner transport initiatives.

Tourism brought in $16.7 billion in Quebec in 2023, making it the province’s fourth-largest export sector. But the strategy recognises that growth alone is not enough, requiring integration with broader goals in environmental protection, transportation and land use.

The Outaouais now faces the task of turning these ambitions into measurable results, proving that tourism can drive economic growth while preserving landscapes and improving community quality of life. If successful, it could demonstrate how tourism can leave destinations stronger than before.