This text is part of the special Business Tourism booklet
To face challenges such as the labor shortage, the Quebec hotel industry relies on solidarity and new partnerships within it.
“Even if the pandemic has been very difficult, people have even more realized the need to work together, to support each other, observes Véronyque Tremblay, president and CEO of the Association hôtellerie du Québec (AHQ). We go further by working together! »
Over the past few years, partnerships have multiplied between various players in the hotel industry, united under the umbrella of the AHQ. The association, which represents the sector with government authorities, notably includes accommodation establishments and bed and breakfasts. In August, the AHQ increased its regional representation with the addition of more than 15 new partners, including 10 regional tourism associations (ATR).
“Sometimes there may be realities that are different from one region to another. We want to be representative of all the realities of the regions in Quebec,” she continues, regarding the mission of the association, which defends the interests of accommodation establishments with governments. “They need to be represented and their voice carried. »
The AHQ also promotes the transmission of information and training to their members to overcome new challenges – a need that is more felt in the current context, according to Ms.me Tremblay. “My general managers clean rooms, they find themselves at reception, they have to fill positions at the last minute, they have their noses stuck in daily operations, they are overwhelmed,” she continues. It is part of our mandate to defend them, inform them and support them. »
The AHQ thus shares reports on new trends or webinars to allow hoteliers to update their practices in line with the current context, such as in digital marketing to attract customers who are now booking online. Training has also helped inform hoteliers who store their customers’ personal data on the implications of Law 25, which modernizes the legislative provisions on the protection of personal information and which came into force in September.
Towards inclusion and sustainable development
“The shortage of labor means that people are going more towards different models,” observes Véronyque Tremblay, who gives the example of a partnership with the Autism Center À Pas de Géant, which makes it possible to include people with autism spectrum disorder in hospitality. In some places, working hours are being adapted, which makes it possible to give part-time work two or three days a week, thus attracting people at the end of their careers. The association encourages their members to join young people on platforms like TikTok. Finally, the sector puts pressure on politicians to facilitate international recruitment, hoteliers having moreover launched a cry from the heart to the candidates of the electoral campaign so that they prioritize the files of foreign workers.
“We are working very hard for international recruitment and to reduce delays,” continues Ms.me Tremblay, referring to the long delays in granting work permits to foreign workers, which have cascading effects in the industry.
The sector is also trying to promote practices related to sustainable development, she explains. She gives as an example the installation of terminals for electric cars. “People buy electric cars, but if they want to go sightseeing anywhere in Quebec, they have to be able to get from point A to point B easily, without fear of running out of electricity,” notes the President- Executive Director. And the ones that have nice places for recharging are the hotels. People spend the night there, load the vehicle and can continue their journey. »
The provincial government offers financial assistance to private companies to purchase public charging stations, through the Private Sector Support Program for the Deployment of Public Fast Charging Stations. The AHQ supports members who wish to participate in the electrification of transport in their region; businesses have until the end of October to qualify for the program.
If the summer season has been beneficial in the tourism sector in Quebec, there are still many challenges to allow a good recovery of the industry, observes Mr.me Tremblay, who remains optimistic. “The more we support each other, the stronger we will be! she concludes.
This special content was produced by the Special Publications team of the To have to, pertaining to marketing. The drafting of To have to did not take part.