Last minute vacation

After two summers with overflowing campsites and full activities two months in advance in places, the situation is gradually returning to normal for tourists traveling to Quebec. To the point where latecomers – or those who have never received their passport – can still save their holidays!

Simon Chabot
The Press

Quebec in the lead

Going on vacation to Quebec on a whim has often been synonymous with a nightmare since the start of the pandemic. But with the reopening of the borders this year, it is becoming possible again.

“Spontaneity is not the same risk factor as a year ago,” says Paul Lavoie, general manager of Tourisme Côte-Nord, a region that experienced an exceptional summer in 2021, with an “unprecedented” influx. “.

“This year we find a certain normality, he continues. Someone who has some flexibility on where he wants to go will have room on the North Shore, there is no issue on that side. »

If Tadoussac remains very busy, the villages of Sacré-Coeur, Les Bergeronnes or Les Escoumins, a few kilometers away, are much less busy, cites Mr. Lavoie as an example, who nevertheless invites those who have accommodation in particular in mind to make a reservation as soon as they can, in order to avoid disappointment.

In terms of activities, travelers also benefit from more flexibility. At the restaurant Chez Mathilde, a well-known table in Tadoussac, you can make a reservation “within a few days’ notice”, confirms chef Jean-Sébastien Sicard. And for whale watching cruises, places are easy to find on the AML or Essipit sites, among others.

In Gaspésie, where overflows have caused a lot of ink to flow since 2020, the weeks following the construction holidays, which are about to end, are traditionally very busy. However, there too, there is still a way to organize holidays between now and Labor Day, notes Joëlle Ross, general manager of Tourisme Gaspésie.

“It’s not too late,” she said. You just have to check before you leave, then look for your hotel 15 minutes from Gaspé rather than downtown, for example. »

Advice relayed by Michèle Moffet, assistant general manager at Tourisme Charlevoix. “There is still the possibility of having a great stay in Charlevoix,” she said. With our reception network, we will help those who arrive without reservations, but it is better to secure their accommodation before leaving. »

Fighting against “a false belief”

“We fight with a false belief that it’s full everywhere,” says Simon Tessier, president and CEO of Camping Québec. Obviously, in the most popular campsites, we could have some difficulties, but we now have more than 1100 campsites, so yes, there are sites. »

At Mer et monde, in Les Bergeronnes, the campsite is full for the season. But a quick search on the site of another site by the river, the Camping et ranch du fjord in Baie-Sainte-Catherine, in Charlevoix, reveals availability, especially during the week, but not only.

In the Bas-Saint-Laurent, campers may find what they are looking for at Camping de la batture SEBKA in Saint-André-de-Kamouraska. “Yes, there are a lot of people, but when you arrive during the week, there is still room for camping and activities (kayak, climbing, etc.), says Tony Charest, general manager of SEBKA. Arrive on Friday evening at 8 p.m., I do not say, but the last minute, it became possible again. »

The rain, which is quite frequent this summer, no doubt dampens the enthusiasm of some holidaymakers. Not at Tremblant, however, assures Cristina Romero, general manager of the Tremblant Resort Association, thanks to the many indoor activities in the tourist village, including the Brind’O indoor aquatic center which reopened this year.

Nevertheless, there too, it is less full than last year. “There are still great opportunities for lodging, even discounts,” adds Ms.^me Romero, but with a little less choice for the last minute. »

Between now and Labor Day, Tremblant will host a half-marathon, an Ironman and the Fête de la musique.

Not the Islands, but the cities

If visitors are a little less numerous this summer in regions of Quebec, this is not the case in the Magdalen Islands, confirms Frédéric Myrand, of the regional tourist office. “We don’t really recommend last-minute stays in August,” he warns.

Quebec and Montreal are experiencing a better season than in 2021, with hotels almost full during the main festivals, the Grand Prix or the visit of the Pope. However, spontaneous stays remain possible in the two cities, with about half of the rooms still free for the month which begins.

“We had a good start to the summer, but there’s no problem finding a room in Quebec City,” says Alupa Clarke, general manager of the Quebec City Region Hotel Association.

“With a great offer of accommodation, restaurants and lots of events, taking a last-minute vacation in Montreal is the thing to do! enthuses even Manuela Goya, from Tourisme Montréal.

SEPAQ: five less busy destinations

There are still availabilities among the vast offer of the SEPAQ, especially if you are able to move away from the major centers. “Reservations are going well, despite a slight decline compared to 2021, said Florence Rouleau, spokesperson for the state-owned company. We notice that people book their stays in nature less in advance…” Between now and Labor Day, in addition to campsites, outdoor enthusiasts will therefore even find a few cabins, rustic camps and ready-to-use to-camp in certain destinations. Here are five.

Mont-Mégantic National Park

Notice to interested parties: there is always a way to find accommodation in Parc national du Mont-Mégantic. Located in the park, the ASTROLab organizes stargazing activities, preceded by a show on the telescope James Webb, whose images have recently fascinated the whole world. The park has 20 km of trails, which notably lead to the summit of the Mégantic and Saint-Joseph mountains. Visitors can also rent bicycles here.

Rimouski Wildlife Reserve

Fishing enthusiasts could still find a place at the Rimouski wildlife reserve, very close to the New Brunswick border. The reserve offers boat rentals, including pontoons — a novelty — on Lake Rimouski. The Bernard Voyer explorer trail leads to a 532 m summit with a beautiful view of the territory. The hike is complete in about two hours.

Port-Daniel Wildlife Reserve

On the Gaspésie side, the Port-Daniel wildlife reserve is not full either. There are 25 trout lakes and a salmon river. The Plaisance trail, which is 5 km long, crosses a salmon pit, while the La Montée trail, 4 km long, leads to a lookout. The observation of the very diverse fauna and the picking of wild fruits are also popular activities in this reserve.

Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles Wildlife Reserve

The Port-Cartier–Sept-Îles wildlife reserve, with its grandiose landscapes, recalls the SEPAQ, is also able to accommodate more vacationers. Fishermen in this territory of the North Shore benefit from a high catch limit, especially on the immense Lac Walker and its spectacular cliffs. The reserve also has two large salmon rivers and a few hiking trails.

Aiguebelle National Park

A good number of accommodations are still free at Parc national d’Aiguebelle, in Abitibi, which has more than 30 km of trails for short and long hikes. On one of them, called La traverse, a suspended footbridge overlooks Lac La Haie and its rocky escarpments. The park offers many activities, including a canoe trip at dusk on Lac Matissard to admire the wildlife.