© Les Chèvres de montagne

© Les Chèvres de montagne

The power of a professional network

Add your voice to the largest group of adventure and ecotourism specialists in Quebec!

Aventure Écotourisme Québec has been representing outdoor businesses in the tourism ecosystem for more than 35 years. Recognized by the Quebec government, our association leads the Quality-Safety certification program, a symbol of excellence for any organization that wants to stand out through its commitment to high standards. Does your organization specialize in ecotourism? The Ecotourism attestation also sets you apart in the ecotourism niche.

Become a certified member to be part of a credible network, stand out for your professionalism and benefit from many services and rewards!

© Au Canot volant

Join the leaders in adventure tourism

Being a certified member of AEQ means adhering to rigorous quality and safety standards and positioning your organization as a leader in adventure tourism. Since 2020, our Quality-Safety certification has been a mandatory step for adventure tourism business applying for financial assistance from Quebec’s Ministry of Tourism. It reflects your commitment to upholding high standards and promoting Quebec as a top-quality and safe adventure destination.

Our certified members benefit from an effective marketing program, personalized support and a vibrant community. You’ll also have access to a wide range of tools and insurance programs specially designed for our industry, as well as exclusive training and events to propel your organization to new heights.

View our member-business testimonials to find out how Aventure Écotourisme Québec can help you stand among the leaders in your niche.

Eligibility criteria

  • Meet the definition of an adventure tourism business, namely, “A person or corporation who, for remuneration, provides the public or travel intermediaries with adventure and ecotourism activities, i.e., led and guided or self-guided activities involving contact with the nature and culture of a given site or territory. These activities involve a degree of risk and are not necessarily geared toward wildlife harvesting. The business controls the components of the products it offers, and possesses the staff and equipment needed to offer and implement its adventure tourism and ecotourism activities. It may also offer these activities as part of guided packages.” (translated freely)
  • Be incorporated or registered in Quebec (with the Registraire des entreprises).
  • Hold at least $2 million in public liability insurance. During the application process, you can obtain a quote by contacting our broker, Essor Assurances (Romain Fisset: 1-877-883-7767, ext. 30176 or [email protected]). Once your certification is official, your insurance will come into effect.

Benefits of being a certified member

  • Promoting your business

    Visibility on aventurequebec.ca and our social media

    Our certified members are promoted in national and international tourism markets through the aventurequebec.ca website, which generates over 518,000 targeted visits per year. Your bilingual (French and English) promotional entry includes:

    • A description of your business and activities
    • Photos of each of your activities
    • Your business details and points of service on a map
    • A link to your website

    Our certified members are also regularly promoted on our Facebook and Instagram pages.

    Visibility plan

    Tap into the strength of our group under the Quebec Adventure Outdoor brand! At low cost, get seen in national and international tourism markets thanks to our targeted marketing initiatives, as well as national campaigns run by the Alliance de l’industrie touristique and Bonjour Québec.

    Aventure gift certificates

    With Adventure gift certificates, one can offer the gift of an activity organized by an AEQ member business. You can participate in this program free of charge.

    Outdoor Excellence Awards

    The Outdoor Excellence Awards presented at the AEQ-Parq conference each year celebrate the expertise, perseverance and innovative initiatives of our members. Apply for this prestigious distinction!

    Logos

    Proudly display the Quality-Safety certified seal, demonstrating your commitment to offering a safe, high-quality experience. Recognized by the Quebec Ministry of Tourism, this certification is an asset for your business’s reputation.

    Highlight your ecotourism activities by earning Ecotourism attestation—a sign of recognition that also comes with comprehensive support in sustainable development.

  • Support and tools

    Support

    Leveraging our unique expertise, our team can help you tackle your challenges and represent you in dealings with government authorities and tourism industry partners. Need help? Contact us, we are here to advise you!

    Visits from a certification advisor

    Every three years, take advantage of a visit from a certification advisor to ensure that you maintain a high level of quality and safety across all your operations.

    Displaying your commitment to environmental responsibility

    To make our commitments tangible and concrete, we support our members with tools and training. We also invite you to participate in the 1% for the Planet Outdoor Fund and to promote your ecotourism activities thanks to Ecotourism attestation.

    Member area

    Our members-only website includes a host of tools, including guides, document templates, studies, webinars, publications and more.

    Job postings

    Post your jobs for free on the jobsenpleinair.ca portal.

  • Eligibility to financial assistance programs

    Financial assistance from Quebec’s Ministry of Tourism

    The Quality-Safety certification process is mandatory for any adventure tourism business applying for financial assistance from the Quebec Ministry of Tourism.

    Northern Incubator-Accelerator

    Adventure tourism and ecotourism businesses, whether certified or in the process of being certified, are eligible for the Northern Incubator-Accelerator, which supports organizations located north of the 49th parallel. AEQ is a proud co-founding partner of this initiative supported by the Quebec Ministry of Tourism and the Société du Plan Nord.

  • Community

    Opportunity to sit on the Board of Directors and working committees

    Join the ranks of leaders in the adventure tourism sector. Managers of certified member businesses may be elected to the Board of Directors and are invited to participate in working committees.

    Monthly newsletter

    Once a month, receive the Panorama newsletter to stay up to date on our association, the adventure tourism and outdoor sectors, and the broader Quebec tourism industry.

    Exclusive benefits with our business partners

    Thanks to our business partners, you save on a wide range of products and services, including first-aid training, landscaping services, outdoor equipment, digital tools, and more.

  • Insurance

    Liability insurance designed specifically for adventure tourism

    Thanks to a long-standing partnership with Essor Assurances, our certified members have access to a liability insurance program made to measure for the adventure tourism sector. For a quote, contact Romain Fisset: 1-877-883-7767, ext. 30176 or [email protected]

    Group insurance for your employees

    Offer attractive benefits to your permanent or seasonal staff by joining a group insurance program with our partner SAGE Assurances. For details, contact Jimmy G. Turcotte, C.A.A.S: [email protected]

  • Events and training

    Training

    Each year, your association offers you the opportunity to join low-cost training cohorts and attend numerous free webinars on tools, best practices, trends, and key industry issues.

    Reduced rate for the AEQ-Parq annual conference

    Don’t miss out on Quebec’s biggest event for outdoor profesionals! The AEQ-Parq conference is a sought-after venue for discussion, training and networking.

Become a certified member
in 4 steps

As of January 23, 2020, any adventure tourism business wishing to qualify for financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism must demonstrate that it meets the standards of the Quality-Safety program by completing these 4 steps.

  • 1. Application

    Fill in the application form.

  • 2. Preparation and support

    Once your form has been received and approved, you will have access to the Quality-Safety certification toolkit, which includes:

    • The certification program (standards guidebook)
    • A handy checklist
    • Tools, models and templates

    Certification fees must be paid. You will receive an invoice for $500 + taxes. The fees are non-refundable. The certification is valid for one year and is renewable on June 1 (prorated according to the date of first payment).

    A certification advisor will be assigned to your organization. The advisor can offer up to two hours of guidance to help you complete the paperwork and bring your organization up to standard. This work can be done remotely or in person.

    N. B. If you would like to comply with Quality-Safety standards in order to apply for financial assistance from the Ministry of Tourism, but do not wish to become an AEQ member or access the benefits offered by the association, fill out this form to get started (select the ‘Non-member’ option at the end). Applying is free of charge, in accordance with our agreement with the Ministry. Once we have received all your documents, your financial assistance request can be processed by the Ministry.

  • 3. Visit and follow-up

    Once your documents have been approved, the certification advisor will visit you and take part in an activity in order to assess compliance with the standards. We ask that a key individual at your organization (manager, owner or board member) be available throughout the day. The visit generally lasts four to six hours.

    The advisor will then draft a report on the standards that were met (or not met). If standards are not met, you will be offered follow-up and support. You will be given time to make the necessary corrections. A second visit may be necessary.

  • 4. Formalization of certified member status

    The AEQ Membership Committee will review your file and consider the advisor’s recommendations. Once this step is complete, your business will become a certified member (or probationary member for businesses less than one year old).

    You’ll then be able to take advantage of the many benefits enjoyed by certified members, including eligibility for five-million-dollar liability insurance.

© Les Chèvres de montagne_Yan Kaczynski

© Les Chèvres de montagne_Yan Kaczynski

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