The Quebec government on Tuesday said it will cap the cost of round-trip plane tickets for all travel within the province to the regions, as a way to increase tourism to rural areas located far from the big cities.
Canadian Press and Global News report that, starting June 1, both residents and visitors travelling within Quebec won’t have to pay more than $500 out of pocket for round-trip tickets to places such as the Gaspé peninsula, Transport Minister Francois Bonnardel told reporters.
Reports didn’t make it clear if the program includes Les Iles de la Madeleine, a group of beautiful islands northeast of PEI that are part of Quebec.
According to the CBC, Bonnardel said the regional air transport plan will cost the province $261 million over five years.
“Our objective with this plan we are unveiling is to stimulate demand by making sure that every Quebecer can travel to distant regions for a maximum amount [of $500], any time throughout the year,” Bonnardel said.
The Ontario government is offering tax breaks to residents who vacation in the province this year, but there’s been no suggestion of a cap on air fares.
