A tough summer for tourism in Laval

Laval, September 24, 2020 – Laval’s tourism industry has just experienced an extraordinary summer season, marked by a sharp decline in tourism activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Although Quebecers traveled locally, Laval, due to its urban nature, was heavily impacted. Compounding this is the fact that our business travelers, who account for half of our tourists, canceled or postponed their trips. 

It is worth noting that border closures, restrictions on gatherings, physical distancing rules, and public health measures have, from the very start of the pandemic, forced the industry to adapt in order to address these major challenges.

By the numbers: The impact of COVID-19

• A 60% decrease in the number of visitors to tourist attractions*
• Hotel occupancy rate of 24%, a 66% decrease compared to the summer of 2019*
• All festivals in the Laval area have been canceled, resulting in 90,000 fewer festivalgoers, based on 2019 attendance figures*
• 12% of Tourisme Laval 's membersremain closed as of today
• Since the start of the crisis, we have seen a shortfall of 30 conferences, representing a $2.3 million decrease in direct spending by participants.

*The statistics were compiled for the months of June, July, and August by Tourisme Laval the methodology outlined in the March 2017 report *Tourism Performance Indicators*, developed by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.

The fall—and even winter—season looks set to be a cause for concern
Given recent announcements from public health authorities, expert studies, and feedback from stakeholders in Laval’s tourism industry, Tourisme Laval a fall—and even winter—season that is cause for concern. The absence of major conferences and sporting events will have a significant impact on hotel occupancy rates. “With the setbacks experienced this summer and forecasts that are hardly encouraging, now more than ever, our tourism businesses need financial support and guidance to weather the coming months, which are shaping up to be particularly difficult,” concludes Geneviève Roy, President and CEO of Tourisme Laval.

About Tourisme Laval
As a leader in a rapidly expanding industry, Tourisme Laval to the development of Laval as a tourist destination, provides leadership in welcoming visitors and promoting attractions, and acts as a unifying force among members and partners, with a focus on sustainable development.

Source: Hélène Vézina
Director of Communications, Tourisme Laval, 450-682-5522, ext. 105
[email protected]