The memory of the tourist boom experienced by the Gaspé Peninsula during the first summer of the pandemic (and the sketch of the Bye-bye 2020 with the Bougon family who took advantage of this windfall) is still alive for many, and not only for those who experienced it up close. The following summer was also very busy, even if the less glorious “excesses” were less numerous. However, this renewed popularity for one of the most beautiful corners of the province raises questions about the place of the tourism industry in this region, of which it is not the main economic activity, contrary to what one may to believe.
Not to mention the long-term negative effects of this craze on its natural environment and its social fabric. In this documentary, the Gaspésien Jean Guénette paints a very enlightening portrait of the situation based on the examples of Gaspé, Percé and Carleton. The most popular destinations, these must find a balance between economic activity, traffic on the verge of overtourism and nature conservation, its main attraction.
The mayors of the three municipalities, industry entrepreneurs, committed citizens, specialists and the Quebec Minister of Tourism, Caroline Proulx, discuss the challenges and highlight the structural and economic problems (disorganized development, lack of manpower) while calling for solutions for sustainable tourism. At the end of this hour of often damning findings, the list of concrete solutions turns out to be short. There will be a sequel, that’s for sure.
To see in video