The worst is behind us, estimates the Minister of Tourism of Quebec, Caroline Proulx, who expects revenues of 10.3 billion for her industry in 2022. Her bet: many Quebecers will enjoy their summer vacations here and rub shoulders with the route foreign tourists, many of whom want to discover the Belle Province.
Posted at 6:00 a.m.
“There is the Grand Prix which is coming back, the festivals, the events where we will be here, in the Quartier des spectacles, finally stuck on top of each other. I think people are going to want to relive that,” she said in an interview with The Press, a few days before the start of the Assises du tourisme which take place this Thursday in Quebec. Mme Proulx will also announce financial assistance for the industry. However, it was impossible to get more details.
If true, his forecast – subject to the evolution of the health situation – would mark a significant increase compared to last year, when receipts reached 7 billion, or 20% more than in 2020. But we would still be far from the performance of 2019, when revenues of 16.4 billion dollars were generated. That year, Quebec welcomed 35.9 million tourists. Of this number, 26.6 million came from the province, compared to 9.3 million tourists from outside Quebec.
The Ministry recalls, however, that the World Tourism Organization did not foresee a return to normal before 2024. Until then, Mme Proulx believes that Quebec is on the right track.
In Montreal, Bertil Fabre, general manager of the Center Sheraton, forecasts an occupancy rate of 90% for the month of July, compared to 21% for the same period last year. “A huge difference,” says the man who also wears the hat of president of the Greater Montreal Hotel Association. “It will allow us to start paying our debts for the past two years. »
I see summer in a very positive light.
Bertil Fabre, general manager of the Sheraton Center in Montreal
For the summer, its clientele consists essentially of visitors from other Canadian provinces. According to him, Quebecers will once again pack their bags to visit the regions.
Operation seduction
To attract vacationers from elsewhere, the government invested $5.3 million in an advertising campaign aimed at markets in Ontario, the United States and France. Then, next week, the Minister will fly to Europe, where she will land in London, Paris and Brussels in order to “sell” Quebec as a tourist destination. The new link between Paris and Quebec City as well as Club Med in Charlevoix will attract many European tourists, according to Minister Proulx.
PHOTO ROBERT SKINNER, THE PRESS
Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism of Quebec
The goal is to get tourists from Ontario, but also Americans, where we are in foreign currency.
Caroline Proulx, Minister of Tourism of Quebec
The holding of the Canadian Grand Prix and the return of cruises are among the elements that can particularly appeal to American customers, she cites as examples.
And will Quebecers be there? The rise in the price of plane tickets, the cost of gasoline and the situation in Ukraine, which is creating a feeling of insecurity in Europe, are all factors that will encourage Quebecers to enjoy their vacations here, according to her. A trend also observed by Nicolas Ryan, Director of Public Affairs at CAA-Quebec.
Even if the data on Quebecers’ travel intentions will only be known at the end of the month, everything leads us to believe that a majority of them will spend their vacation here. Some might also be tempted by the United States and sun destinations, he predicts.
In 2021, thanks to the influx of visitors from here, the summer was particularly busy for many hoteliers in Quebec. So much so that establishments in certain regions such as the Magdalen Islands, Gaspésie, Bas-Saint-Laurent and Côte-Nord recorded higher occupancy rates during the summer season than in 2017 , 2018 and 2019, i.e. before the pandemic, when the borders were all wide open to foreign visitors. The regions of Quebec and Montreal, popular destinations for international tourists, however, did not experience the same fate as the others.
Maine and New Brunswick, now accessible, are also likely to attract many Quebecers, thus competing with the attractions of La Belle Province. “Are Quebecers going to Maine? Most certainly, ”replies the minister. The reverse is just as true, however, she adds confidently.