The return of tourists to the metropolis is confirmed, according to figures released on Monday by Tourisme Montréal according to which the number of visitors has finally returned to its pre-pandemic level, despite the unstable weather of recent weeks.
Halfway through the tourist season, the organization reveals that the metropolis welcomed 100% of the number of tourists who flocked during the same period in 2019, the last year without any health measures.
“While the Americans and the French are still in the majority,” said Tourisme Montréal in a press release released Monday morning, there was also a “significant” increase of 10% in the number of visitors from other countries.
Thus, the English, Mexicans and Brazilians are 30% more numerous than in 2019 to choose Montreal to come and spend their holidays there. The number of Indian and Portuguese travelers is also up significantly by 245% and 136%, propelled by the addition of direct flights from Delhi and Lisbon.
The return to normal air traffic would also be the main reason behind this rebound, believes the president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal, Yves Lalumière. The latter also praises the energetic advertising of his organization in several markets in order to convince tourists to come and visit Montreal.
In view of the figures from the airlines and the hotel industry for the coming months, Tourisme Montréal says it is “optimistic” as a 6% increase in the total volume of passengers who will disembark in the metropolis is expected until in October.
Another sign of the return of tourists: hotels are as full as before the pandemic, with an average occupancy rate of nearly 80%, even though the city’s hotel capacity jumped 5% between -time. Their mid-season total revenues also surpass 2019 figures by 26%.
“Montreal, in number of room spaces, is the equivalent of the Bell Centre. So if I’m told that we have the Bell Center at least 80% full every day, it’s a nice analogy,” says Yves Lalumière.
Finally, Tourisme Montréal points out that these encouraging figures are materializing “despite the unstable weather conditions”, the importance of which must be qualified, according to Mr. Lalumière.
“Forecasts raise legitimate concerns, but it is essential to consider different factors for informed decision-making. A low chance of rain shouldn’t result in the cancellation of your planned outdoor activities.”
The only downside, however, is that the sub-category of business tourists may not return to its pre-pandemic level, believes Yves Lalumière. However, this phenomenon is likely to be more difficult to experience in a city like Toronto, which is traditionally better positioned in this sector than Montreal.