This text is part of the special Plaisirs booklet
All-inclusive vacation packages, popular with regulars in sunny destinations, also exist in Quebec. A pandemic context helping, the concept has gained followers over the past 18 months. Is the trend there for good with the upcoming opening of a first Club Med in Canada in Charlevoix at the beginning of December? To analyse.
The M Resort & Spa, the most recent project by entrepreneur Maxime Rondeau, is not displayed on any platform. Don’t look for it on Airbnb! However, the phone has not gone off the hook since the opening of its new type of lodging in January 2021.
“I’ve never seen that,” says the man who has worked in real estate development and cottage rentals for seven years. We are breaking occupancy rate records: weekends are always full, and even during the week. »In April, after barely three months of activity, his establishment, which allows us to enjoy a small Nordic spa just for us, a fully equipped loft on the banks of the L’Assomption River and a multitude of customizable packages, was occupied 26 days out of 30. Same thing in May. In the low season, this is unusual, he says.
Recent data obtained by the Transat Tourism Chair at UQAM confirm this: relaxing stays in the heart of nature are very popular this year. Just like the all-inclusive Quebec-style formulas, which are gradually gaining notoriety. “Our survey showed us that 16% of Quebec travelers were more inclined to seek all-inclusives,” indicates the holder of the chair, Marc-Antoine Vachon. There may not be an explosion, but certainly a craze [pour ce genre d’expérience]. “
An effect of the health crisis? In part, analyzes the professor in the Marketing Department of ESG UQAM. “The pandemic has brought greater complexity to the planning of stays. Among other things, travelers should ask themselves: “Am I going to be able to eat at a restaurant?” Hence the interest in a simplified and better structured offer. “
In short, whether you are staying in Quebec, Cuba or Mexico, by opting for an all-inclusive, you buy peace of mind. Marc-Antoine Vachon is also convinced that the offer of the genre will continue to grow in La Belle Province. The more there will be resorts Quebecers, the easier it will be to plan a vacation in Quebec, he says.
The giant lands in Petite-Rivière-Saint-François
In fact, the very first Canadian Club Med, a resort in the mountains of Charlevoix, will open its doors on December 3, just in time for the ski season. On the program: a panoramic view of the river and the mountains, ski lessons, a toboggan run and Nordic baths, among others.
And reservations are going well. Already, the occupancy rate is around 80% until March, confirms the vice-president for Canada and commercial operations for North America, Vincent Giraud. “On New Year’s Day, we are already at 90%. “A majority of Canadians have booked a trip, including many Quebecers, but also many Ontarians, Americans and Brazilians, he says.
According to Vincent Giraud, the craze for all-inclusive packages goes beyond the borders of La Belle Province: it is international. “In all our facilities, we are 30% ahead of reservations for 2019, ie before the pandemic,” he explains. Going all-inclusive is easy. We have nothing else to think about than enjoying our vacation. “