The drop in the crowds of tourists from the United States harms the merchants in Old Montreal

Dreaded by traders, the drop in the number of American tourists is not as brutal as expected this summer in Montreal. They are still fewer in crossing the border to discover the metropolis, and their absence is felt in sales. The crowds of Canadian and Quebec tourists in recent weeks, however, has partly compensated for the shortfall in certain establishments.

“It’s okay, but it’s really not my best summer,” says Denise Bérard, while keeping a smile. Since 1991, she has been installing every summer on the popular Place Jacques-Cartier, in Old Montreal, to sell her works and those of her spouse. His kiosk is full of images from the metropolis, popular with tourists wishing to take a memory with them.

This year, however, sales are rarer, a situation it attributes to the decrease in the number of American tourists. “We have been feeling it since the start of the summer. They may be 25 % less than usual, ”she assesses in sight.

When passing the DutyThursday, Place Jacques-Cartier was however lively. The surrounding terraces were full and many tourists were strolling from one kiosk to another. To judge by the accents, we deduce that many come from other provinces of Canada. Quebecers were also there in recent days of the construction vacation.

“There are more Canadians than usual, but it’s not enough to fill the losses. American tourists are often the most spending, their dollar is strong. If they are fewer, we sell less, ”regrets Denise Bérard.

Same observation on the side of the market place Jacques-Cartier, a few steps away. “The most difficult, this year is that there are several factors that affect our turnover. Yes, there are fewer Americans, but the weather has also played. We had a difficult start to the season, with a lot of rain in May and June, ”said Magali Thibault Gobeil, owner of the smoothies kiosk, fresh juice, fruit, ice cream and maple products.

With the slow start -up, it assesses the drop in sales about 30 % compared to last year. Other restaurants and local food businesses have reported a similar decrease.

“There is better. With the construction holidays, there are many Quebecers this week. Canadians in other provinces have also been more numerous since early July. But we feel that people spend less, ”notes M^me Thibault Gobeil, believing that economic instability pushes tourists to slash the holiday budget.

Americans present despite everything

The fact remains that summer is less gloomy than what merchants apprehended, despite the scarcity of American tourists observed since the formulation of Donald Trump’s first price threats last February.

According to the most recent figures from Statistics Canada, the number of American travelers entered in the country in June dropped by 10.5 % compared to the same period last year. And the drop is all the more marked in Quebec.

Our southern neighbors are numerous, however, traveling the small cobbled streets of Old Montreal this summer. The Duty crossed several during his visit. Two young Americans, visibly curious to taste maple shooting, ordered, under the July sun, at the Place Jacques-Cartier market. Others were seated on rue Saint-Paul or store in the souvenir shops in the neighborhood.

“Yesterday, I saw an American family who had printed on their t-shirts”I didn’t vote for this asshole”, In reference to President Trump,” says artist Denise Bérard, amused.

Arrested in front of the big wheel, a mother of Vermont has also tried to apologize for the situation. “I apologize for our president as soon as I have the opportunity. And I invite all Canadians to come to our house. They will always be welcome, ”says Maureen Dawson warmly.

“We can see that: our American customers apologize to our employees, we feel them embarrassed by the situation,” adds Perle Krebs, director of marketing and distribution at the Saint-Sulpice hotel, located not far from the Notre-Dame Basilica in Montreal.

His team was “a little afraid” in the spring while several American tourists, dreading to be badly received, canceled their reservations. According to her, the hotel welcomed around 25 % fewer Americans this summer compared to last year. “However, they remain our number one clientele,” she says.

Canadians at La Récousse

The Saint-Sulpice hotel still displays an occupancy rate of 91 % for July, the suites having found takers with Canadian customers. “We have more than in other years. They come mainly from Ontario, Maritimes and West, ”notes Perle Krebs.

Although she is delighted to see the season saved by Canadian tourists, she argues that the situation is accompanied by some challenges. “Because they come less far, the reservations are made at the last minute. It’s stressful not to have predictability. »»

Laurence Mackrous, owner of the souvenir boutique Bonjour Montréal, also believes that Canadian travelers have saved her season. “I apprehended a lot because of the tariff war, but it is really good. I enter my figures. Even if the Americans are fewer, we have a lot of Canadians this year, and a lot of French people too, ”she says.

At the Montreal Science Center, attendance has been even 9 % up since May, compared to last year. “It corresponds to around 110,000 visitors. Our customers are mainly Quebecers, Canadians, then international visitors, “said director Cybele Robichaud, satisfied with statistics.

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