Summer is in full swing in Montreal, which welcomes about 11 million visitors each year. After a few years of slowdown due to the pandemic, Old Montreal has regained its dynamism: its pedestrian streets are crowded with people; its terraces, packed. But are there too many tourists in the metropolis? Last article in a series of five on tourism in Montreal.
“It’s certain that we feel their presence more and more, it’s undeniable. But we are far from the situation in Venice or Barcelona,” notes Christine Caron, president of the Association des résidents du Vieux-Montréal (ARVM).
She has lived in this historic district for 25 years. Like her, the majority of Old Montreal residents are aware of its distinct character. Its heritage, history and activities attract many visitors each year. They accept the constraints that come with it, but the influx of tourists — especially in the summer — still comes with its share of inconveniences that are difficult to bear.
“The number of people visiting bars and restaurants brings its share of noise pollution. There is often noise late at night,” she says. But it is mainly traffic, both pedestrian and automobile, that poses a problem in the summer. Pedestrian shopping streets are overflowing with people, the surrounding streets are congested, and parking spaces are scarce. “It is becoming difficult for residents to get around simply to get in or out of their homes,” notes Mme Caron.
She also regrets the lack of local businesses, as Old Montreal’s boutiques are mainly geared towards tourists. “You have to go outside the neighbourhood to do your groceries. It’s not the tourists’ fault, but we have to maintain a balance so that it remains pleasant to live there,” she emphasizes.
Keeping a balance
This “balance” is present but “fragile”, according to Mme Caron: “The number of tourists is increasing. It’s a situation to monitor, a balance to maintain.”
Experts consulted by The Duty say Montreal is far from the excesses seen in Venice, Barcelona or Amsterdam, where authorities are implementing measures to limit visitors and appease angry residents. “Mass tourism is a question of perception. When a resident feels a loss of quality of life, such as no longer being able to enjoy their local park or restaurant, that’s problematic. […] “We haven’t reached that point in Montreal,” says Luc Renaud, professor in the department of urban and tourism studies at UQAM.
According to a Tourisme Montréal survey published in July, 85% of Montrealers are proud of their city’s tourist popularity. Some 75% even support the growth of tourism, believing that it brings dynamism to the city and to their daily lives. In Montreal, the rate of “tourismophobia”, or being “opposed to tourism and its promotion”, is only 4%.
Disperse the tourists
The speakers agree: tourism must be developed by ensuring that there is harmonious cohabitation between residents and visitors. This involves, in particular, consultation and the active participation of residents in discussions on the subject.
Tourisme Montréal has been working on this for several years. The organization has adopted a strategy of “dispersing tourist flows” across space and time. “There are 450 km2 “There’s plenty of territory in Montreal, there’s plenty of space and things to see!” says spokesperson Aurélie de Blois.
Promotional campaigns are placing more emphasis on the city’s various attractions. “Visitors are increasingly going to Verdun, for example, with its beach and Wellington Street, voted the most cool in the world. They also go to Ahuntsic-Cartierville, where the Louvain meadow, with its very “instagrammable” sunflower field, arouses a lot of curiosity.
Tourisme Montréal also seeks to promote the city during other seasons, highlighting the colours of fall or the attractions of winter. “What we see in Europe, the overtourism that pushes residents to protest in the streets, we never want that to happen in Montreal,” she maintains.