[page 08] From Estrie to Chaudière-Appalachians Shortly after obtaining its letters patent in October 1988 and the creation of the Chaudière-Appalachian administrative region, Tourisme Amiante moved from the Estrie Tourist Association to that of Chaudière-Appalachians. Amiante Tourism originally joined the Estrie Tourism Association. It was a stand-alone section. In 1988, the ATE made Lakes Saint-François and Aylmer, Frontenac Park and Mount Adstock one of its tourist hubs. It is in its 1991 action plan that Tourisme Amiante stresses that the organization will have to choose the regional tourism association that will suit it more. On 20 February 1991, representatives of the Estrie and those of Chaudière-Appalachians participated in an evening of information addressed to the members of Tourism Amiante to inform the choice of the leaders of Tourism Amiante. On March 13, 1991, at an annual general meeting, 52 of the 57 members of Tourism Amiante, including the City of Thetford Mines and the MRC of L'Amiante, opted for Chaudière-Appalachians. Because of their geographical location, the municipalities of Disraeli and Beaulac decided to choose the Estrie. The decisive arguments in favour of this 91.2 per cent decision are the products offered by the ATR Chaudière-Appalachians, the open-mindedness of its leaders, the addition of the ski and snowmobile products of Tourisme Amiante to those of Chaudière-Appalachians and the accession of the tourist world to the administrative region to which the health, education and economic sectors have already joined. Tourism Amiante joined the ATR Chaudière-Appalachians in 1992, when Tourisme Amiante's 1992 action plan called for all of its products to be included in the Chaudière-Appalachian marketing plan. The change proved profitable. The first 1988 Obtaining letters patent by Tourism Amiante 1989 The number of visitors from outside the Amiante MRC reaches 90,000 (94,979) for the first time 1990 1st edition of the Feast of Colors and Chrysotiles 1991 Inauguration of the observation lookout at the Asbestos Lake mine 1992 1st tourist guide using the name of the Land of Asbestos 1993 The Labmobile and the tourist kiosk are commissioned [page 09] 1994 1st held of the ATR Chaudière-Appalachian Quebec Tourist Grand Prix at Thetford Mines (Balmoral) 1995 Rivard Beaudoin as president of the Chaudière-Appalachian Regional Tourism Association. Survey on tourism supply and jobs generated 1996 1st use of the name of the Land of Mines and Lakes 1997 Official opening of the new Thetford Mines Mineral and Mining Museum 1998 1st year of operation of the heritage site of Saint-Jacques-de-Leeds 1999 1st edition of the activity On the Way of the Craftsmen 2000 Record number of 161 members for Tourism Amiante 2001 Announcement of the upcoming creation of the Coleraine Ecological Reserve. Walking trails of the 3 Monts 2002 1st phase of the exhibition of religious heritage in St. Alphonsus Church of Thetford Mines 2003 Official opening of the Jean-Dupéré theme park. Relocation of the permanence to the House of Tourism 2004 1st underground mining visit to levels 950 and 1000 at Thetford Mines Bell Mine 2005 1st Tourist Brunch and 1st Asbestos Tourism Field Dinner 2006 1st edition of Aquart, underwater art exhibition in the Shaft of the Flinkote mine and on the property of the former mine 2007 1st City Tour From yesterday to today in the city centre of Thetford Mines and on the grounds of the KBB mining heritage development project 2008 20th Anniversary Activities. Launch of the new website