MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(Marketwire - March 20, 2008) - Aeroports de Montreal (ADM) is pleased to announce the opening of a new common-use VIP lounge at Montreal-Trudeau airport. Located in the international jetty, after the pre-boarding security screening checkpoints, this new lounge offers travellers awaiting their flights spacious surroundings and an array of exclusive services.
The ADM Lounge is operated by Servisair, an international company with extensive expertise in managing airport lounges. First- and business-class passengers on participating airlines have free access to the lounge, while other travellers can enter for a fee. For information and to reserve: www.executivelounges.ca.
Lounge customers can enjoy a bar service featuring a varied selection of beverages and light meals, in addition to being able to use two work stations equipped with computers, telephones and printers. Newspapers, magazines, televisions and Wi-Fi Internet service are also available.
The furniture in the ADM Lounge was designed by the Quebec companies Editorial, Espace Cote Sud and Periphere.
For more information about Aeroports de Montreal and its operations, please visit our website at www.admtl.com.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(Marketwire - Dec. 19, 2007) - Results of the ninth annual Visa Canada holiday shopping survey, conducted by Omnitel, show that Quebec shoppers plan to spend the most of all provinces on holiday entertaining ($384) but the least on gifts ($654) this year. Compared to the rest of Canada, Quebecers also expect to attend more holiday dinners and have more holiday festivities within the workplace.
“Quebec respondents said they hoped to take an average of 9.2 days off from work this holiday - more than any other province,” said Tania Freedman, Director of Corporate Communications, Visa Canada. “Coupled with the $384 per person they plan to spend on holiday entertaining, the highest amount nation-wide, Quebecers seem to be looking forward to spending time with family and friends.”
To Give and To Receive
Compared to the rest of Canada, people in Quebec spend the least amount of money on gifts. This year, holiday shoppers in Quebec each plan to spend $654 compared to the national average of $1,061. While spending is up an average of 12 percent across all provinces, Quebecers plan to spend 11 percent less than they did last year.
Of those who say they’re planning to spend less, the number one reason is that they’re planning to stick to a budget. Quebecers also shop for fewer people and are least likely to shop for friends, extended family or pets. Quebecers, on average, plan to shop for 7.8 people versus the national average of 11.9.
Much like the rest of the country, 30 percent of Quebecers say that the hardest gifts they have to buy are for their spouse or partner. The average amount spent on significant others in the province is $143 compared to the national average of $225. Quebecers plan to buy 2.6 gifts per child, significantly below the national average of 4.5, and respondents with children plan to spend approximately $132 per child.
So what are people shopping for in Quebec? Holiday shoppers plan to purchase clothes (69 percent), toys (61 percent), and books (56 percent). Quebecers are less likely to purchase gift cards than shoppers in other provinces, though gift cards are at the top of the list of items people want to receive (12 percent), just behind electronics (13 percent).
With a Click of the Mouse
Quebec residents are much less likely to buy gifts online this year. Only 13 percent of those with an Internet connection and a credit card say that will be looking for presents on the Internet compared to the national high of 33 percent in British Columbia.
Those that do shop online in Quebec are looking for books (37 percent), toys (31 percent) and clothing (20 percent) and say they expect to spend an average of $160 on online purchases. Most of these people choose to purchase gifts online to avoid lines and crowds (77 percent).
Other Quebec highlights from the Visa Canada gift-giving survey:
- 14 percent of Canadians nation-wide plan to take 11 to 15 days off work, while one in four Quebecers (27 percent) intends to do the same.
- While they spend less on presents, Quebecers plan to outdo the rest of Canada when it comes to holiday entertaining by spending an average of $384 per person.
- Thirty-nine percent of Quebecers plan to shop for themselves this holiday.
- 61 percent of respondents report that their employers plan to host holiday outings or parties, the highest percentage of workplace parties in the country.
- Quebecers anticipate attending an average of six parties this season, more than in any other province.
The Visa Canada gift-giving survey was conducted between November 1 and 7, 2007 by Omnitel. A random national sample of 1,318 male and female respondents 18 years of age and older were interviewed via telephone. Results for a sample of this size are considered accurate, with a margin of error of 2.67 percent, 19 times out of 20.
About Visa
Visa operates the world’s largest retail electronic payments network providing processing services and payment product platforms. This includes consumer credit, debit, prepaid and commercial payments, which are offered under the Visa, Visa Electron, Interlink and PLUS brands. Visa enjoys unsurpassed acceptance around the world and Visa/PLUS is one of the world’s largest global ATM networks, offering cash access in local currency in more than 170 countries. For more information, visit www.corporate.visa.com.
MONTREAL, QUEBEC–(Marketwire - Dec. 11, 2007) - Saint Joseph’s Oratory invites the public to carry on long-standing Christmas traditions, or start new ones by taking part in its many seasonal activities. The Oratory offers a vast program of activities for the holiday season including an exhibit of nativity scenes from around the world, midnight Mass, the Blessing of Families, and numerous concerts!
Around the World at the Museum
The Oratory museum presents the annual nativity scene exhibit for which it is famous. With something for everyone, the Nativity Scenes of the World exhibit permits visitors to discover 250 creches from more than 111 countries (with 25 new additions), for a total of 2500 pieces of all sizes in an ever-changing decor. The exhibit is open every day until February 18, 2008, including Christmas and New Year’s Day, from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. A free-will offering at the entrance is greatly appreciated.
Christmas in Music
The Oratory Foundation invites the public to its traditional annual Christmas concert, on Friday, December 14, and Saturday, December 15, beginning at 8 p.m. in the crypt. This year’s event, Frederic De Grandpre chante Noel a l’Oratoire, features Frederic De Grandpre accompanied by Corneliu Montano, Marie-Pier Perreault and the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal. Tickets on sale at Admission Network and at the Saint Joseph’s Oratory gift shop.
The superb voices of the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal will soar in the crypt on Saturday, December 22 at 2:30 p.m. Admission is free. On December 24, 25, and 31 and January 1rst at 12 p.m. and 2:30 p.m., the carillon will ring out with Christmas and New Year’s Carols performed by carillonneur Claude Aubin.
Christmas and New Year’s Celebrations
On Monday, December 24, Christmas Masses will be held in the basilica at 6 p.m. (Family Mass), 9 p.m., and midnight. A half-hour concert by organist Philippe Belanger will be presented before each of the three Masses. In the crypt, a service will be offered in English at 9:15 p.m., while another will be held in French at a quarter past midnight. There is a reservation fee of $3 for participation in the 9 p.m. and midnight Masses in the basilica with the Petits Chanteurs du Mont-Royal. Passes are available at the Information and Blessing Office.
On Tuesday, December 25, Christmas Day, Masses will be celebrated in the crypt at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. (in the basilica), 11:15 a.m. (in English), 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m. For the third year in a row, Midnight Mass on December 24th will be broadcast over the Corus Network throughout Quebec.
On Sunday, December 30, New Year’s celebrations will begin with the blessing of pilgrims and families at 2:30 p.m. in the crypt.
On Monday, December 31, pilgrims are invited to join in the 84th traditional New Year’s Day march. The procession leaves at 10 p.m. from in front of Saint-Enfant-Jesus Church on the corner of Laurier Street and Saint-Laurent Boulevard in Montreal, and ends with the New Year’s Eve Midnight Mass.
Finally, on Tuesday, January 1st, New Year’s Day, Masses will be celebrated in the crypt at 7 a.m., 8 a.m., 9:30 a.m., 11 a.m. (in the basilica), 11:15 (in English), 12:30 p.m., 4:30 p.m. and 8 p.m..
For more information on all our activities for the festive season, contact Visitor and Pilgrim Services at 514 733-8211 and visit our website regularly at www.saint-joseph.org. Use of public transit is recommended. Saint Joseph’s Oratory is open 365 days a year from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m. Welcome!
