The Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT) celebrated its 30th anniversary on November 10 with an exceptional event held at the Marriott Château Champlain in Montreal. To learn more about this event and its mission: CQRHT celebrates 30 years: a must-attend event for HR in tourism.

HotellerieJobs was a partner of this special edition, and our CEO, Florentin Lepoittevin, was present on site to represent the company and share his impressions of this remarkable day:

Attending the 30th CQRHT HR Summit was an inspiring experience. Seeing the energy of professionals and students, the commitment to continuous training, and the professionalization of Quebec’s tourism industry reminds us how central people are to our sector. It is a privilege for HotellerieJobs to support this mission and contribute to the recognition of the talents that will shape the future of tourism.— Florentin Lepoittevin, CEO, HotellerieJobs

More than 260 professionals from all areas of Quebec’s tourism sector gathered, alongside students from Collège Montmorency et de l’École des métiers de la restauration et du tourisme du Québec.

This special edition of the HR Summit & 30th Gala offered a full day dedicated to talent development, continuous training, and the professionalization of the tourism industry.

The weight of tourism in Quebec’s economy

A few figures highlight the sector’s impact:

🔎 Quebec has 23,845 tourism establishments, generating 458,844 jobs—nearly 10% of total provincial employment.

Source: Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme

🔎 Among them, 193,000 young people aged 15 to 24 work in the industry, representing 28% of young employees in Quebec.

🔎 With an estimated economic impact of CAD 18.1 billion in 2024*, tourism remains the second most important private employment sector in Quebec.

*Statistics from the Quebec Ministry of Tourism

Source: Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme

Rethinking human resources: a day focused on people

Designed as a unique gathering for managers and HR professionals, the Summit addressed the major current challenges in the sector:

• Workforce retention and well-being at work;
• The importance of continuous training in a context of labor shortages;
• Integration of artificial intelligence in talent management;
• The strategic role of territories and regional clienteles in tourism development.

Opening the day with inspiring guests to guide change

Among the notable attendees were Pascale Déry, Minister of Employment; Jean Lortie, President of the Commission des partenaires du marché du travail (CPMT); Liza Frulla, General Director of ITHQ; and Noël Baldwin, General Director of the Centre des compétences futures.

All highlighted the need to invest in skills development to support productivity and ensure the long-term vitality of the tourism industry.

Remarkable conferences: leadership, technology, and generations

Hosted by Guillaume Lavoie, the Summit featured a series of impactful presentations combining expertise, reflection, and inspiration:

🌟 Ian Kimball (TripAdvisor) captivated the audience with “The Human Experience as an Algorithm,” showing how team culture and leadership directly influence online reviews and establishment rankings.

🌟 Thomas Dautieu addressed “Ethics and Artificial Intelligence: A New HR Challenge,” highlighting issues of governance, transparency, and fairness in AI integration.

🌟 Dominique Boily delivered an inspiring talk titled “Excellence is Within You,” encouraging managers to focus on recognition, trust, and personal development.

🌟 Finally, Marianne Lemay presented “How to Attract and Retain Every Generation,” decoding the languages, codes, and communication channels specific to each generation, from Gen Z to baby boomers.

These conferences, both visionary and practical, reminded attendees that people remain the cornerstone of collective success.

Spotlighting the next generation

The presence of tourism students was a highlight of the Summit. Their involvement symbolizes the future of the industry, a constantly evolving sector rich in learning, growth, and mobility opportunities.

Their curiosity and enthusiasm brought fresh energy to this anniversary edition, underscoring that tourism remains a field driven by passion and sharing.

A gala evening to celebrate 30 years of commitment

The day concluded with a festive and inspiring Gala Evening, celebrating three decades of dedication to professionalizing tourism careers.

Catering and service were expertly handled by students from the École des métiers de la restauration et du tourisme du Québec, a great demonstration of the next generation in action and local expertise.

🌟 At HotellerieJobs, we share this mission: valuing tourism careers, supporting HR managers, and fostering connections between passionate employers and engaged talent.

Because the future of Quebec tourism will always be built with, and for, people.