Despite fears at the start, summer finally smiled at hoteliers in the Quebec region. The drop in the number of American tourists is to be partly offset by the strong crowd of Canadian visitors.
At the Manoir du Lac Delage, a few months ago, we expected a strong presence of tourists from the south of the border. However, American travelers have been fewer than expected since the start of the summer season.
The forecasts said that the Americans were to visit us in large quantities, so we had a permanent forecast may be more interesting at the start of the season. […] So, thereafter, we lowered our forecasts
admits Jean-Nicolas Joly, Managing Director of the establishment located on the outskirts of Quebec.
The local customers make up most of the reservations of the Manoir du Lac Delage, explains its general manager Jean-Nicolas Joly.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Their presence is still felt, almost 15 % of manor customers are American, but local tourism is more important this summer. Quebec customers are really more at the rendezvous than American customers
explains Jean-Nicolas Joly.
The Hotel Association of the Quebec Region (AHRQ) corroborates the observations of the Manoir du Lac Delage. The managing director, Alupa Clarke, notes a sharp increase in the number of Canadian tourists.
There is an 8 % drop in reservations to Americans compared to last year, then an increase of 42 % from Canadians
he specifies, speaking of the first week of the construction leave.
The director general of the Hotel Association of the Quebec Region (AHRQ), Alupa Clarke, notes a drop in American visitors by 8%.
Photo : Radio-Canada
Visitors from Ontario and the Maritimes are particularly numerous, notes Mr. Clarke, but the hotels are not full of cracking.
The occupancy rate of Quebec hotels is 85 % against 80 % in establishments on the outskirts of the city. What the hotels tell me is that there are still many rooms available
indicates Mr. Clarke.
More difficult at the border
The owner of the Boutique Off Taxes de la Beauce, Éric Lapointe, suffers more directly the wrongs of the decrease in American tourists in Quebec.
Even if the situation improved slightly in the last month, its sales had dropped by 50 % in June. We are still talking about very important drops, like 40 % since the beginning of July if we compare with last year
he laments.
According to the owner of the Boutique outside the Beauce taxes, Éric Lapointe, his sales dropped by 40% in July. (Archives photo)
Photo: Radio-Canada / Marie-Ha Trudel
At the start of the summer, he feared a difficult season and a few weeks later, his fears were made. I did a lot of layoffs. […] It also involves a lot of overtime on my part, so as to compensate a little
he said.
This is the price to pay to go through the crisis. It must be done
he says.
With the information from Edouard Dubois
