The wide range of professional services offered to STAQ members were designed, whenever possible, to meet the needs of entrepreneurs.
To make certain its services are fully adequate, STAQ entered into a series of collaborative and partnership agreements with a number of parties involved in the tourist industry in Quebec.
In addition to the expertise of STAQ personnel, members can take advantage of the professional skills of highly qualified institutions such as the Chaire de tourisme of the University of Québec in Montréal, the Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT), SACO, etc.
Services to members:
Direction and support for the development of tourist businesses;
Support for the training of human resources in tourism;
National and international marketing of accredited products;
Help with the accreditation process;
Negotiation of goods and services beneficial to the entire membership;
Access to a pertinent and up-to-date data bank;
Quarterly news bulletins;
Annual publication of an Aboriginal tourist guide;
Representation and promotion of Aboriginal tourism;
A multidisciplinary team capable of providing customized responses to various needs.
Description
• Direction and support for the development of tourist businesses
Because of its concrete and detailed view of the development of tourism in Aboriginal communities, STAQ is in a position to offer valuable counselling services to entrepreneurs. In fact, a promoter can get advice on entrepreneurship, the types of tourism products for which there is demand, potential markets, distribution networks, marketing and customer expectations. He will also be directed toward the professional and financial resources that can assist in his development.
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• Support for the training of human resources in tourism
STAQ has always been conscious of the fact that training is a crucial factor in the success of a business and has therefore become actively involved in the development of training programs, in collaboration with various teaching institutions. In 1996, with Collège Mérici, STAQ designed a training program for entrepreneurs and guides. More recently, in response to requests by band councils, it has drawn up training programs for various other tourism jobs.
With a view to refining its training involvement, STAQ is now working in close collaboration with the Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT). Therefore, upon receiving a request for training, STAQ is now able to offer, in collaboration with the CQRHT, modern programs with optimized contents. The main role of STAQ is to link up the parties, to see that the training is pertinent, to advise the party making the request, and to see to the addition, when needed, of contents that apply directly to Aboriginal culture.
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• National and international marketing of accredited products
Priority has been given to marketing from the very beginning of STAQ’s operations. Marketing is one of the duties that is most interesting both to STAQ and to businesses.
Marketing of tourism products is offered solely to active members who have been accredited, i.e., to businesses whose operations respect STAQ quality and safety norms.
STAQ is in a position to provide travellers with an authentic ingress into the Aboriginal world and to enjoy a memorable ethno-cultural experience.
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• Help with the accreditation process
The accreditation process set up by STAQ is an essential step in the development of a business and is a prerequisite to marketing procedures undertaken by the Tours Innu broker.
STAQ norms leave the entrepreneur freedom of choice regarding his program of activities, as well as the sites and approaches he proposes for welcoming tourists to his concept. However, the norms provide the framework needed to ensure proper quality and to have his product included in the list of approved venues. Should the promoter need to make certain improvements, help will be provided.
By complying with the norms enumerated in the rules of ethics and standards for Aboriginal tourism, STAQ members contribute to the building of an excellent image of tourism in Aboriginal lands which they will maintain over the years. It is for this reason that all STAQ members are invited to work toward the realization of the goals of the Corporation, i.e., to lead the Aboriginal tourist industry on the road to lasting success.
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• Negotiation of goods and services beneficial to the entire membership
Part of the strength is gained from regrouping results from better purchase power. STAQ will be able to negotiate with suppliers for special rates and prices for its members. Goods and services obtained in this way must be of value to all members.
For instance, preferential civil liability insurance rates were negotiated for STAQ members, thanks to a collaborative agreement entered into with the Native Benefits Plan, a specialist in this field.
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• Access to a pertinent and up-to-date data bank
STAQ’s multifaceted work allows it to amass a great amount of specific data or general information that members can consult. These facts can be of valuable help to a member who wants to conduct a market survey, a feasibility study, or simply to be informed of a particular subject.
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• Quarterly news bulletins
Communication via information to members is a function deemed essential by STAQ, and news bulletins are the medium of choice. The bulletins deal mainly with ongoing activities, but also contain articles on pertinent subjects.
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• Annual publication of an Aboriginal tourist guide
The annual directory of Aboriginal businesses in Quebec is an indispensable tool, first of all to provide information to consumers seeking Aboriginal products, but also to serve as a source of information, often the first one, to all who are interested in one way or another in the tourist industry in Aboriginal communities.
For this purpose, STAQ has designed and produced a document entitled Québec Aboriginal, Tourist Guide 2000, available in tourist information centres in Quebec. The first annual guide produced by STAQ is an undisputed success not only because of the easily accessible information it contains, but also because of its aesthetic design.
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• Representation and promotion of Aboriginal tourism
In order to secure a first line position in the tourist industry, STAQ entertains direct relations with the most important associations in the sector: Aboriginal Tourism Team Canada (ATTC), the Association des producteurs de tourisme d’aventure du Québec (APTAQ) and the Forum permanent de l’industrie touristique du Québec.
The promotion of Aboriginal tourism is fundamental to STAQ’s role and mission. To carry out its mandate, STAQ has become actively involved in the Quebec tourist world as the official representative of the Aboriginal sector and is responsible for initiating a number of events.
Because of its membership that covers the entire province, STAQ is gradually becoming recognized by governments as the provincial Aboriginal tourist association.
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• A multidisciplinary team capable of providing customized responses to various needs
In all matters relating to the development of Aboriginal tourism, the STAQ team can be of assistance. Thus, a duly paid-up member may profit from the great synergy focused exclusively on the expansion of the tourist industry in Aboriginal communities. The efforts exerted by the directors of the corporation and by its permanent team result in the ability to offer top quality, diversified services.
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