Laval, June 3, 2020 - Minister Caroline Proulx has made it clear to Quebecers that they can start planning and taking their vacations in Quebec now. Last week, she also announced the first phase of a decontamination schedule for Quebec's tourism industry. We know her passion for the industry, and this first step demonstrated that she is serious about her commitment to ensuring that there will be a summer of tourism in Quebec. But if we are to stretch our legs after long months of confinement, our businesses will have to survive. Visitors will be Quebecers, often from their own region. The only way to offer them a little pleasure will be to secure local jobs.
"Laval's 200 active tourism businesses welcomed 1.8 million tourists last year, generating $116 million in spending. The destination performed well, with a 3.6% increase in visitor numbers and the best hotel occupancy rate in Quebec. Then the crisis hit, and everything came to a halt. Job losses and corporate debt are mounting. Financial support is essential if we are to continue our business of welcoming people," says Geneviève Roy, CEO of Tourisme Laval.
The industry is eagerly awaiting the next steps outlined by the Minister, namely the timetable for the second phase of decontamination and the industry's financial support plan.
"Our business ecosystem is fragile, the possibility of generating revenue for hotels and tourist attractions will be considerably weakened by the measures we will have to take to ensure the safety of our clientele. Distancing and limiting gatherings are initially limiting issues. Travel restrictions and access to foreign markets will also have an impact on visitor numbers. Our challenge is economic. That's why our industry needs financial support to help cover the fixed costs of our businesses," says Yanick Pazzi, General Manager of Sheraton Laval, Executive Vice-President of Groupe Hôtelier Grand Château and Chairman of the Board of Tourisme Laval.
"We can feel it, we can hear it: Quebecers can't wait to decontaminate. Our industry is looking forward to the second phase of decontamination. The details of safety measures will have to be clarified quickly, so that the population fully understands the guidelines for travel, accommodation, entertainment, eating out and leisure activities. It's going to take pennies to adapt to receiving customers while respecting social distancing," says Mélanie L-Guérin, Executive Vice-President, SkyVenture.
"We understand that we have to contribute to the public health effort by gradually deconfining. Public health is non-negotiable, and it's our duty to convey this message to our entrepreneurs, who are also concerned about the issue. The Quebec government is also asking us to take an active part in the economic recovery this summer. In both cases, they can count on us," says Geneviève Roy, CEO of Tourisme Laval. "We will continue to work with our regional and industrial stakeholders, as well as with the government, to find the right balance between public health and economic survival, but knowing the rest of the decommissioning schedule will help us prevent rather than cure."
It is in this spirit that Tourisme Laval is today calling on the Minister responsible for the Laval region (and also Minister of Finance), Mr. Éric Girard, as well as the Minister of Municipal Affairs, Ms. Andrée Laforest, and the Minister responsible for Regional Economic Development, Ms. Marie-Ève Proulx, to encourage Premier Legault to come to the aid of the tourism industry. Let's not forget that this industry represents 400,000 jobs in every region of Quebec.
About Tourisme Laval
As a leader in a fast-growing industry, Tourisme Laval contributes to the development of Laval as a tourist destination, provides leadership in welcoming and promoting attractions, and acts as a rallying agent for members and partners, in a perspective of sustainable development.
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