Economic activity in Quebec: An unbroken break in history

The final week of spring break in the Greater Quebec region won't go down in history, but changing temperatures and a lack of snow will make it difficult for many financial players.

This is the case with some ski resorts that are still able to save furniture, usually without realizing record traffic for this crucial period.

“Without mechanical snowmaking we wouldn't have the same break because we'd still lose a lot of the old and natural snow slopes,” explains Hugues Leclerc, communications manager of the resorts of Mont-St.-Anne and Stoneham.

Without accurate data to compare with previous years, he still described last week as “relatively satisfactory” in terms of weather conditions.

“We are far from records. It was a bit tough on Wednesday, but we still had good days at the beginning and end of the week. It was spring skiing, but those were really beautiful days and the skiers were out there,” he said.

Declining occupancy rate

Although we have to wait before we have exact numbers, Alupa Clarke, general director of the hotel association in the Quebec region, expects to see a decrease in the occupancy rate, which will reach 60% during the entire week, unlike in previous years. It is between 65 and 73%.

“We saw a 5% slowdown in February and the first weekend [de mars] We have an occupancy rate of 66% and 73% in 2023. We still see a definite downward trend for this spring break,” he noted.

Tuesday, April 19, 2022, Tourism Recruitment Morning at Poor Hotel, Quebec. Alupa Clarke, general director of the Quebec City Region Hotel Association, explained that the needs of workers are significant. Stevens LeBlanc/Journal de Quebec/Agence QMI

Stevens LeBlanc/Journal de Quebec

“It's not bad, there is tourism in the town, but it's down. […] While we still want to be better, we have to come out of this with overall positive financial benefits,” Mr Clarke said.

He wanted to point out that many family hotels with indoor swimming pools still have occupancy rates of 75% to 80% at certain times of the week.

A good week for Grande Alley

For his part, Action Promotion Grande Allée President, Jonathan Olat said he was very happy that tourists and people from Quebec took advantage of last week to visit the various restaurants, bars and microbreweries along Grande Allée.

Neighborhood photo on Rue Sainte-Anne and Grande Allée in Quebec, before Quebec Carnival season; and a photo of Saint-Jean-Baptiste Church at 400, rue Saint-Jean in Quebec. QUEBEC, Sunday Jan. 21, 2024. In the photo, some people walk along the Grande Allée. Photo agency QMI, Marcel Tremblay

Marcel Tremblay / QMI Agency

“It was a beautiful week and the weather definitely helped. It's a bit difficult for winter sports, so […] People are more inclined towards catering,” he explained.

According to him, the International Auto Show and Igloofest Quebec will undoubtedly have a positive impact on the traffic towards Grande Allée, as many of them go to the area to extend their evenings.