An encouraging upturn for tourism in Laval

Laval, September 28, 2021 - After a particularly difficult year for the tourism industry, the industry is slowly regaining momentum. The easing of public health regulations has allowed attractions to reopen and events and festivals to be held in time for the summer season. Marketing campaigns by Tourisme Laval to local customers and by the Alliance de l'industrie touristique du Québec in Quebec helped businesses promote their activities and stays in Laval.

Although hotel occupancy and fee-based attraction traffic have not yet returned to the same level as in summer 2019, a clear recovery was observed in July and August, which is excellent news.

There is still some reluctance to book business and sporting events, but demand is strong. Although events are generating fewer overnight stays than in 2019, the situation is nevertheless encouraging.

Summer Highlights:

• The number of visitors to ticketed tourist attractions* more than doubled compared to 2020 when many businesses were closed. This summer's traffic is 80% of the total seen in 2019.
• Hotel occupancy* is 44% for the June through August period, which is an 18 point increase over summer 2020.
• Business travelers, who usually represent 48% of our tourists in the summer, accounted for only 31% in recent months .
• This summer, the sales team worked on about 20 applications for events in Laval. Of this number, 10 were obtained.

Enthusiasm for the coming seasons
Although there is still some uncertainty as to the evolution of the pandemic and the sanitary rules for the fall and winter seasons, a positive wind is blowing through the tourism industry. Thanks to the vaccination, the reopening of businesses seems definitive, and we hope to see some relief for business events. In addition, marketing campaigns are being renewed, and prospects for 2022 look good. Marketing actions in the Ontario market are planned for next winter.

"The 2021 summer season is clearly better than the previous one. Laval's tourism industry is gradually starting to recover. I would like to highlight the quality of the work and determination of our tourism businesses and their teams. The support of the federal, provincial and municipal governments was also a key factor in our improved performance this summer," concluded Geneviève Roy, President and CEO of Tourisme Laval.

*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.
 

About Laval Tourism Tourisme Laval
As a leader in a rapidly expanding industry, Tourisme Laval contributes to the development of Laval as a tourist destination, provides leadership in the reception and promotion of attractions, and acts as a rallying agent for members and partners in a sustainable development perspective.

Source:
Hélène Vézina
Director of Communications, 514 261-9893
[email protected]