For Immediate Release 

Years of hard work pave way to hosting the 1st World Outgames in Montréal

MONTREAL, July 24 /CNW Telbec/ - This coming July 26, Montréal will welcome some 12,000 participants and 5,000 volunteers during the 11 days of the 1st World Outgames. Joining the athletes will be 500 journalists, the majority from outside of Québec, as well as 150,000 spectators who will attend the diverse sports competitions, cultural celebrations and ceremonies. Not only will the Outgames generate major media coverage, but it will also create substantial economic spin-offs: more than $100 million is expected to be injected into the Montréal economy. Hosting the first edition of this unique event as well as the International Conference on LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender) Human Rights is the culmination of combined and sustained efforts by Tourisme Montréal and Montréal's gay community.

"For more than 10 years, Tourisme Montréal has played a key role in supporting and promoting gay tourism in our region," says Charles Lapointe, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. "Hosting the Outgames in Montréal is the culmination of sustained strategic efforts to position Montréal as a leading world destination. In fact, Tourisme Montréal has allocated more than two million dollars over the last three years alone to implementing a wide range of communications and advertising tools to attract the gay community, a rapidly-developing market for Montréal's tourism industry.

The mission has been accomplished already: in 2005, Montréal welcomed 400,000 gay and lesbian tourists who injected more than $250 million into its economy.

After 10 years of intensive efforts and as host city of this 1st Outgames edition, Montréal is now considered one of the five premier gay destinations on the planet (joining New York, San Francisco, Berlin and Sydney). Tourisme Montréal's actions regarding the 1st Outgames will be crucial to solidifying this shared and ambitious objective.

Montréal's legendary openness and joie de vivre make it a favourite destination for travelers from around the globe. Recognized as Canada's leading getaway among gay travelers, this dynamic metropolis is not only poised to become a world leader, but is fast becoming the LGBT community's preferred North American travel destination.

-------------------------------------------------------------------------
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market.
-------------------------------------------------------------------------

For further information: Pierre Bellerose, Vice President, Public
Relations, Product Research and Development, Tourisme Montréal, (514)
844-2404, bellerose.pierre@tourisme-montreal.org