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A difficult summer for tourism in Laval

Laval, September 24, 2020 - Laval's tourism industry has just experienced an unusual summer season, marked by a sharp drop in the level of tourist activity due to the COVID-19 pandemic context. Although Quebecers traveled locally, the urban destination of Laval was heavily affected. Added to this was the fact that our business travellers, who account for half of our tourists, cancelled or postponed their stays. 

It should be remembered that the closure of borders, restrictions on grouping, physical distance rules and sanitary measures meant that, right from the start of the pandemic, the industry had to adapt to meet these major challenges.

 

In figures: the impact of COVID-19

  • 60% drop in the number of visitors to tourist attractions*.
  • Hotel occupancy rate of 24%, down 66% on summer 2019*.
  • All festivals on the Laval territory have been cancelled, which represents 90,000 fewer festival-goers, according to 2019 attendance figures*.
  • 12% of Tourisme Laval membersremain closed to date
  • Since the start of the crisis, we have lost 30 conventions, representing $2.3 million less in direct participant spending.

*Statistics were compiled for the June, July and August period by Tourisme Laval according to the Tourism Performance Indicators methodology, March 2017, developed by Raymond Chabot Grant Thornton.

 

A worrying autumn, and even winter, season ahead
With the recent announcements from Public Health, expert studies and the pulse of Laval's tourism industry, Tourisme Laval is anticipating a worrying autumn and even winter season. The absence of major conventions and sporting events will have a major impact on hotel occupancy rates. "With this summer's lag and forecasts that are hardly encouraging, more than ever, our tourism businesses need financial support and guidance to face the next few months, which are shaping up to be particularly difficult," concludes Geneviève Roy, President and CEO of Tourisme Laval.

 

About Laval Tourism 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.

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