We are very proud to share that Mr. Yan Hamel, our President and CEO, received the Prix Grand Bâtisseur 2026 yesterday from the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec. The award was presented by Quebec’s Minister of Tourism in front of representatives from across our industry.
This award recognizes an outstanding career marked by more than 30 years of vision, bold leadership, passion, and commitment, including 20 years at the helm of Croisières AML and in service of Quebec’s tourism industry.
For Yan, it all began long before he became CEO. As a teenager, he was already involved in the family business, driven by a passion for the maritime world and the St. Lawrence River that has never left him. Trained as an industrial engineer, he even became a captain to gain a deep understanding of our operations and the realities of life on the water. Over the years, this close connection to both the field and the people has remained at the heart of his leadership style.
Over the past 54 years, AML has grown tremendously: from a single vessel to a fleet of 25 ships, from one home port to 10, and from just seven employees at the company's beginnings to more than 750 team members during peak season today.
But beyond the numbers lies a story about people. Captains, crew members, naturalists, mechanics, sales, marketing, food service, customer service, administrative and management teams. Women and men who, season after season, believed in ambitious projects, embraced challenges, and helped make Croisières AML what it is today.
Beyond our company, Yan has also dedicated a significant part of his career to advancing Quebec’s tourism industry. He has helped bring together industry stakeholders, raise awareness of tourism’s economic importance, develop the tourism potential of the St. Lawrence River, and champion projects that have left a lasting mark on our industry.
From whale watching tours to river shuttles, from the Grands Feux Loto-Québec to the new onboard experiences offered aboard our vessels, one guiding principle has remained constant: to innovate, do things differently, and showcase the extraordinary richness of the St. Lawrence River.
Congratulations, Yan, on receiving the Prix Grand Bâtisseur 2026!
