The cancellation of the Just for Laughs festival next summer is a call for vigilance so that other major events in the metropolis do not suffer the same fate, worry Montreal organizations specializing in tourism and the economy.
“It’s certain that we were disturbed, really, by the announcement [de Juste pour rire] », confides Manuela Goya, vice-president of destination development and public affairs for Tourisme Montréal.
Also disappointed to see that the repercussions of the pandemic have “got the better of an institution,” she adds in an interview.
PHOTO MARTIN CHAMBERLAND, LA PRESSE ARCHIVES
The vice-president of destination development and public affairs for Tourisme Montréal, Manuela Goya
Just for Laughs was a “brick in the foundation of the metropolis”, according to Mme Goya. By removing it, the balance of the building becomes precarious.
In 2023, more than 1.3 million spectators participated in the Just for Laughs festival in Montreal. Of this number, approximately 190,000 people were tourists who came expressly for the event.
The economic benefits amounted to an average of $33 million per edition in the metropolis, all sectors combined.
“But beyond the numbers, [Juste pour rire]it is an institution that in some way shapes our identity, says Mme Goya. With the cancellation, there is the fear of the prospects of loss of reputation, of influence. »
A culture in danger
What if other festivals also fell in battle? worries Montreal Tourism.
A concern shared by the Chamber of Commerce of Metropolitan Montreal. “Our festivals are suffering and the venues are running out of steam. Culture is fragile. We must preserve the DNA of our metropolis,” responded the Montreal organization on X, which was not available for an interview on Tuesday.
A collective reflection is necessary to see if the model of Montreal festivals is still viable, adds Manuela Goya.
A free model – where you can wander around the city center of a large metropolis and pay nothing for outdoor shows – is part of our identity. But structurally speaking, we must ask ourselves whether the model still holds.
Manuela Goya, vice-president of destination development and public affairs for Tourisme Montréal
The questioning should involve both the government and the City of Montreal as well as private companies, she believes.
Since the pandemic, the costs linked to these events have jumped, recalls the vice-president. “Just for security fencing, prices have increased by 20% to 30%, and we’re not even talking about stages and lighting. »
Montreal has built its reputation as a “city of festivals” for years, even decades, underlines Mme Goya.
“We would not want the wave [de difficultés économiques] is so important that it affects our reputation. That’s why we’re concerned. »