The pandemic has given a boost to telework holidays, often in heavenly places by the sea or in nature. Can tourists be interested in the Quebec metropolis for this type of stay? This is what Tourisme Montréal believes, which supports projects by the Aire commune company to develop an offer aimed at digital nomads.
From June 13 to October 14, an outdoor terrace will welcome workers and their computers on the Esplanade Place Ville Marie, in the heart of downtown. Two glazed containers will be transformed into meeting rooms which can be reserved by groups.
This public space is in addition to the many ephemeral places of work and socialization developed over the past few years by Aire commune, particularly in the District Central, Lachine, Mile-End and the Old Port. The company will also double its network of summer islands, covered, wooden pitches, equipped with wifi and electrical outlets, scattered in several districts.
“Our vision is to cover Montreal with greendesking says the general manager of Aire commune, Marie-Pier Tessier De L’Étoile.
At first glance, this offer is aimed at Montrealers. But this year, travelers are also targeted. Aire commune has even developed partnerships with a dozen hotels to offer discounts and routes to good addresses for teleworkers from elsewhere.
“There are not only our spaces of greendesking, but the best cafés to work in, the most beautiful terraces for a meeting. Some places will offer a little something, like a free coffee, to those who have booked a package, ”describes Mme Tessier de L’Etoile.
Tourisme Montréal, which partially funded these projects, wants to make Montréal a hub for “nomadic tourism”. “This pleasure tourism combined with business tourism, it allows for much longer stays, to make known our spirit, our culture”, pleads Manuela Goya, vice-president of destination development and public affairs.
As tourists increasingly want to “live like Montrealers”, Tourisme Montréal wants to focus more on projects that will appeal to residents and visitors alike. Ephemeral spaces, such as those at Aire commune, but also the Village au Pied-du-Courant and the Jardins Gamelin, among others, are convivial places that often combine shows by local artists, catering and bar service. They are a “signature” attraction of Montreal and highlight the personality of the neighborhoods, according to Mme Tessier de L’Etoile.
It allows us to make much longer stays, to make known our spirit, our culture
“It takes magic ingredients. First you need free space in central areas. In some cities like Toronto, condo towers are growing so fast that there are no vacant lots. In addition, in Montreal, as soon as the weather is a bit nice, people want to meet outside, which makes these ephemeral spaces very popular,” she explains. The latter also notes that some guided tours in the metropolis pass through the facilities of Aire Commune.
A tendency to exploit
According to some shared workspaces downtown, the phenomenon of telecommuting tourists is still marginal in Montreal, but it has potential.
Montreal Cowork, for example, regularly welcomes tourists who land here for two or three months, observes the founder, Francis Talbot. At Hedhofis, which notably has offices in the Old Port, a majority of foreign customers are in the city to visit relatives for a few months.
“What is missing are spaces for coworking in collaboration with hotels. We are interested in developing this kind of possibility”, indicates Frédéric Deshaies, president of Hedhofis.
For now, the CEO of the Greater Montreal Hotel Association “does not believe that large urban centers are a destination of choice for people who want to get away from it all while continuing to work.” “If we found a way to develop this tourism, it would help revive the Montreal hotel industry,” said Jean-Sébastien Boudreault.
In this spirit of revival of the hotel sector, Aire commune will also present a series of musical events on hotel terraces, in collaboration with the Montreal International Jazz Festival, Osheaga and Montreal Pride. “We want to make known places unknown to Montrealers, hidden treasures like the terrace of the Humaniti hotel, where there is a breathtaking view of downtown,” explains Philippe Pelletier, director of programming and public relations for Common area.
While waiting for the summer program, temporary places will be inaugurated very soon, including the Esplanade Louvain, in the Cité de la mode sector, on May 19.