Quebec tourism faces climate challenges. Thanks to an innovative cohort, key sector players are moving from awareness to action, developing concrete adaptation plans for a more resilient future.

Climate change is already transforming the Québec tourism landscape, prompting the sector to rethink its strategies to adapt and ensure its sustainability. In this context, the Cohorte adaptation aux changements climatiques en tourisme was launched in May 2024. This project, developed by Ouranos in collaboration with the Maison de l’innovation sociale and the MT Lab, is part of the Ministry of Tourism’s mandate to support climate change adaptation in the sector. 

For several months, this cohort has supported tourism associations and recognized partners of the Ministry of Tourism in preparing an action plan targeting their priorities for climate change adaptation. Through a process of training, exchanges, and individual support, participants deepened their understanding of climate issues, shared knowledge, and developed a plan tailored to their reality. 

The Cohort aimed to help participants: 

• Acquire knowledge to prepare for action in climate change adaptation
• Develop an integrated vision of the sector in the face of climate challenges and identify possible synergies between organizations
• Experiment with different processes and tools to facilitate preparation for action
• Produce an organizational action plan for adaptation in their sector or region that is concrete, realistic, relevant, and complementary to strategic tools

An Effective Model for Learning and Taking Action

By focusing on collective support, a cohort promotes collaboration and learning. Aurore Vincent, Sustainable Destination Manager at Tourisme Cantons-de-l'Est, explains: "Solidarity, sharing expertise, and mobilization were essential. We no longer feel alone in facing the challenges. Each meeting was a source of inspiration. Seeing the actions implemented elsewhere helped us better structure our own approaches."

In addition to breaking down silos and fostering collective intelligence, the Cohort’s activities allowed participants to anchor adaptation in their organizational reality through various activities:

• Gatherings conducive to exchanges and the emergence of ideas
• Individual support to help participants complete their deliverables
• Thematic spaces offering a deep understanding of issues and adaptation approaches in other sectors

Structural Impacts

Ten months later, the results are concrete:

• 115 actions formulated by participants, in line with their association’s mandate, such as supporting businesses, acquiring strategic knowledge, and developing and structuring the tourism offer
• 64% of participants feel ready to take action, compared to 23% before the Cohort
• 90% of participants now actively collaborate with other organizations, a significant increase.

Beyond the numbers, participants retain an enriching experience regarding their competence and confidence in their ability to act. Julie René, Sustainable Development Advisor at Tourisme Centre-du-Québec, highlights how the Cohort helped her clarify her role: “My power is to be an influence and to transmit knowledge. To prepare our destination for climate change, we must also start by equipping our own team.”

The exchanges also allowed mutual support, inspiration, and the emergence of new collaboration opportunities. “There are many more ideas in several heads than in one,” she adds.

Anne-Marie Royer, Tourism and Sustainable Development Advisor at the Fédération des Pourvoiries du Québec, notes that her members sometimes adapt without realizing it. “Our outfitters face concrete challenges such as sudden floods, lack of snow for winter sports, and warming lakes… Many have already adjusted their infrastructure and diversified their activities, and the Cohort helped us structure this reflection and better plan for the future.”

Efforts carry on

The Cohort ended on January 29, 2025, but its impact will continue well beyond. The action plans developed by participants pave a concrete path towards adapting the tourism sector to new climate realities. Implementing these strategies will rely on collaboration, access to resources, and continuing the learning initiated during the Cohort. The path traced during the Cohort will guide participants, whose power to act is in their hands.