We talk a lot about how Montréal makes sustainability easy when organizing events. As the first Canadian city to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index, we’ve had a jumpstart on protecting our planet through our every gesture as a business tourism destination — in fact, we at Business Events Montréal have even incentivised it. But it isn’t all about the nuts-and-bolts and the how-tos. There’s an overreaching sustainability philosophy that guides our every decision. Enter our Promise for a sustainable stay.
Our shared pledge to a better future
As part of Tourisme Montréal, we at Business Events Montréal take our leadership role in sustainable destination management very seriously. We want our destination to be as beautiful in 100 years as it is today. We want Montréal never to have to face the overtourism conflicts that some cities are experiencing.
That’s the principle that guided Tourisme Montréal’s proactive sustainability strategy toward what we term a “harmonious destination” — a city where the coexistence of residents and tourists is gloriously, harmoniously integrated. It’s also what inspired us to pen the Promise.
The Promise for a sustainable stay consists of 5 simple tenets that aim to sensitize visitors to the city’s plight in helping improve contemporary habits to make for a more harmonious tomorrow. As welcome guests to our fair city, we want visitors to feel proud about contributing to the local economy and the overall well-being of the city.
5 tenets we can all stand behind
If you’ve been lucky to visit the Montréal Convention Centre, the Palais des congrès de Montréal, you’ll already have seen our Promise publicly posted. Here it is, in short:
1. Manage your waste and impact
Montréal’s green initiatives are many: there’s a real focus on eco-friendly travel and sustainable tourism. Cafés no longer provide single-use plastic straws and shops no longer provide single-use plastic bags, so being conscious of your waste management is easy.
2. Choose zero-emission transportation
Help us lower carbon emissions with your every move by choosing low-impact transportation options. That said, you don’t even have to use transport; the city is so easily walkable, all you need for fuel is your own curiosity.
3. Buy local
Montréal is a city in constant creative ebullience, which means you can get locally crafted versions of pretty much everything you may dream of. From your daily bread to designer souvenirs, help support the city economically by buying local.
4. Welcome diversity
In Montréal we do more than accept diversity — we seek it out and celebrate it. That means that you, like anyone else, are free to be you, in full safety and security.
5. Show respect and civility
Treat others as you’d like to be treated — yes, that old chestnut! Respecting different vibes comes naturally in Montréal, a happy city that loves a good party but also recognizes people’s right to quiet times. In contrast to the active nightlife, there’s a real respect for noise control.
What’s in it for you?
First, there’s the knowledge that you’re doing some good and integrating the city you’re visiting with ease. Second, you can rest in the certainty that your event will be welcomed with open arms into a city that really appreciates tourism.
In the recent Resident Sentiment Index report, 71% of Montréal residents surveyed were in favour of tourism growth. That’s 5% higher than the average of the other cities surveyed, which included Copenhagen, Paris, Barcelona, London and Toronto. One particular point of pride for us is that the tourism industry’s sense of consideration for its citizens is also 10% higher than in the other cities surveyed.
In Montréal you’ll find a city that thrives on fresh ideas and the innovative exchange international events bring to our community. Residents are already sensitized to the importance of sustainable practices, and they’re happy to get visitors accustomed to them as well.
The Promise for a sustainable stay is an invitation for the attendees of your Montréal events to make themselves at home and feel good about visiting a city that cares about its visitors as much as it cares about the planet.
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