[EN IMAGES] Omicron variant: The Club Med channel is “optimistic”

Despite the new Kovid-19 variant and the closure of the borders of some countries, the Club Med channel is “optimistic” about the success of Club Med Quebec Charlevoix in the coming months.

Also read: [EN DIRECT] At least one case has been confirmed in the new Omicron variant in Quebec

Also read: Omikron: Ottawa passengers pass through Montreal

Also read: Omicron: The features of the Delta variant are surprisingly different

“Personally, I’m still optimistic. That was not the case a year and a half ago when Kovid-19 was new, ”he replied. Journal Vincent Girard, Vice President of Club Med in Canada.

“It simply came to our notice then. We know more about COVID-19. There was also vaccination and medications came. […] The WHO also recommends that borders be kept open, “said David Cook, chief of The Christian Science Monitor’s Washington bureau.

In recent days, Japan, Israel and Morocco have decided to close their borders to foreign travelers due to the Omicron variant.

Last week, Ottawa suspended entry into Canada until January 31 from seven South African countries.

Mr. Girard acknowledged that his organization was pursuing the issue “carefully.”

He points out that to prevent the spread of the virus, every club-med village, including the one in Charlevoix, has strict security protocols for cleaning up sites and food, among other things.

In addition, every client over the age of 13 must have a valid vaccination passport. However, this restriction does not apply to minors.

19,000 reservations

Club Med Quebec Charlevoix facilities accommodate up to 850 people per night. So far, management says it has not processed any cancellation requests due to the new Kovid-19 variant.

Already, by mid-March the occupancy rate had exceeded 70%. Most of them are Cubans and Ontarians. Americans (15%) and Brazilians (15%) also come to the Massif de Petit-Riviere-Saint-Franకోois.

Club Med, which is partnering with Le Massif Group on the project, said it had booked nearly 19,000 reservations for its new hotel, with customers staying an average of four nights. For the year, the chain hopes to attract more or less 50,000 holiday makers to its walls.

For the summer, management hopes to rely more on Europeans to fill its rooms. In particular, it plans to enter into agreements with local companies to provide various opportunities for activities such as whale watching for tourists.

Club Medchain also believes Quebec still needs to work on its flight service to provide more direct flights.

“Undoubtedly, we are very keen to have more direct services,” Mr. Girard said the company has invested in a lounge dedicated to passengers at the Jean-Lesz International Airport in Quebec City, which opens on Wednesday. “We are going to give access to all our customers in the Gold and Platinum categories,” he explained.

$ 20 million bill

On Monday, the media was invited to visit the new 4 Tridents (4 stars) hotel complex with 302 rooms and 3 restaurants in Charlevoix, with a total investment of $ 130 million. This is an increase of $ 10 million compared to the budget set in 2017.

Club Med Company had to inject more money for the project to see the light of day. It initially planned to invest $ 14 million. According to our information, the check increased to $ 20 million.

In recent days, Club Med Quebec has hosted over 400 clients working for Charlevoix travel agencies. Management was also able to replace the majority of positions still available.

“This made it possible to test the installations. Everyone loved the experience, ”said Mr. Girard. “We are ready. By next week, we will have reached 90% or 95% of the workforce we need,” he concluded.

The establishment is expected to provide livelihood to about 350 people.

Some numbers

• $ 130 million
• 350 employees
• 302 rooms including 25 5-star suites
• 3 Restaurants: Le Marché, Terroir & Co, Le Chalet
• 2 bars: Le Metore, Le Chalet
• 23m Indoor Swimming Pool and Spa (Sothis)
• Accommodation 2, 3, 4 or 7 nights
• 80% of the food products served in restaurants come from Canada and 30% from local products

Some activities

• Ski workshops
• Snowshoes
• Skating
• Loose
• Ice fishing
• Club Med Circus lessons
• Yoga and meditation classes

Even to watch