This text is part of the special book Plaisirs
According to the Bank of Canada, in 2020 Canadians were on average $5,800 each wealthier due to pandemic-related savings. Have we ever swallowed them up in a new kitchen counter? Have we put them aside for the big trip we promised ourselves to make post-pandemic? We bet that many will invest part of this savings in summer vacations in Quebec. Fourth text in a four-part series.
For Martin Soucy, President and CEO of the Alliance de l’industrie touristique du Québec, “many will want to continue exploring the province as they did last summer”, even if the end of the screening to enter the country, on the 1er next April, will promote the resumption of travel abroad. “Not everyone wants to fly! he says.
In order to inspire travellers, the four ambassadors of “Québec, mon amour”, the charm operation of the Alliance which will be launched on Quebec soil on April 5, will list their favourites. On the Bonjour Québec site, we can hear, for example, chef Stéphane Modat about the authenticity of Aboriginal culture.
“The goal isn’t to fall in love with Quebec again, it’s to stay that way,” continues Mr. Soucy.
“And then, here or elsewhere, it will cost more, so the real question is: “am I getting my money’s worth?” And in Quebec, the answer is yes. »
According to a flat-rate or independent formula?
Over the past two years, the Ministry of Tourism has ensured that Quebecers get more for their money. Its “Explore Québec on the road” program brought together some 1,400 packages with discounts of around 50% for Montréal and 35% for all other regions.
“The response has been very positive,” says Nathalie St-Jacques, project manager for Explore Québec at Agences réceptives et packageistes du Québec. Charlevoix, Gaspésie, Québec, Côte-Nord, Bas-Saint-Laurent and the Magdalen Islands proved to be the most popular destinations.
It is not yet known whether the road packages will be renewed for the summer season, but the air packages, which concern eight regions, including Eeyou Istchee Baie-James and Nunavik, will be sold until March 2023. “Given the political situation and health, it is therefore this summer that you have to treat yourself to this dream trip to a remote region of Quebec! launches the manager.
Still, do you really need help organizing a stay in your backyard? “There is, in fact, often the perception that a package only has its raison d’être if you want to travel in a group or abroad, explains Ms.me St Jacques. However, the fact of buying a pass means saving time and money, without having to put aside your personal standards of quality and your desire for discovery. »
A la carte
One thing is certain, if you organize your own trip, it is in your interest not to delay in booking your accommodation or your camping spot. “By planning your stay now, you can find availability in the most affordable establishments or have the choice of economy rooms,” says Stéphanie Thibaud, Marketing Director for Tourisme Gaspésie.
Incidentally, booking nights directly with the establishment rather than through an online travel agency (Trivago et cie) is advantageous for both the guest and the hotelier (who will not have to pay commission to that third party). In Groupe Germain hotels, customers are rewarded for this: among other things, they are given the choice of their departure time.
At Tourisme Centre-du-Québec, Marie-Hélène Beaupré highlights the geographic positioning of the region. “It’s advantageous in that it’s less than a two-hour drive from several other regions,” says the communications manager. Several of our urban accommodations also offer the possibility of going out near the hotel, by walking or cycling, which saves money. »
Notice to lucky owners of electric cars, especially these days: the network of charging stations is well developed along the route des Navigateurs, which crosses Centre-du-Québec, Chaudière-Appalaches and Bas-Saint- Lawrence. And the Société des traversiers du Québec welcomes these vehicles free of charge on its boats.
Here and there…
The websites of regional tourist associations are full of good tips to give a break to our budget. Yes, we all know that a picnic at lunchtime is more economical than dining out, but to spice it up, we could stock up at the nicest farmer’s market around. . Most of the time, it will be under the “Blog” tab of the site in question that you will find a list of these regional markets. On the Tourisme Charlevoix website, just type “free pleasures” in the blog’s search bar to find suggestions for visits. For Gaspésie, it is at the address blog.tourisme-gaspesie.com that we will find the ticket “10 free attractions”.
Likewise, Destination Canada has some great advice. To take advantage of the good weather, while doing a cultural activity, a public art hunt is ideal, and Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto, Quebec and Ottawa have no shortage of works to admire. And if we were ever planning to visit the Okanagan Valley and the idea of investing in a few bottles of Osoyoos Larose rather than a luxurious hotel room appealed to us, we could stay in one of the studios of the campus of the University of British Columbia, Kelowna.
Which provinces other than their own will Quebecers visit this summer? Besides those of the West, everything indicates that they will go to Newfoundland and Labrador and make a jump in France! “Along with the guide to Western Canada, the one to Newfoundland and Saint-Pierre-et-Miquelon is one of the most popular, as the destination has been very popular for three or four years,” says Daniel Desjardins, founding president of ‘Ulysses. It’s true that a 90-minute boat trip from Fortune to drink a shot of red wine at Ma P’tite Cocotte in French territory is great, especially for those who don’t want to take the ‘plane !