L’Isle-aux-Coudres traders say bad press surrounding last winter’s ferry problems still worries visitors and has resulted in a nearly 30% drop in traffic at the start of the tourist season.
The start of the summer season is more difficult for many Isle-aux-Coudres traders as they are put off by the daily ‘uneducated’ ferries bad reputation with their customers. Since May 30, the situation has returned to normal and two ferries are in operation.
In contrast to previous years, retailers state that they started the summer season “in slow motion”.
“The world is still calling to see if it can cross,” laments Noëlle-Ange Harvey, owner of Bouchard Bakery.
The owner of Auberge La Fascine, singer Geneviève Jodoin and winner of the show La Voix in 2019, says she is feeling the effects.
She mentions that potential visitors are afraid to visit the island for fear of not being able to leave.
“I really see the difference [par rapport aux années antérieures]. This is the most difficult year in terms of reservations and ticket sales for shows,” laments Ms Jodoin, who has been in business in Isle-aux-Coudres for ten years.
Photo Credit: Photo provided by Geneviève Jodoin
“Everything is correct”
However, no breakage or major delay has been reported in recent weeks. The ferry service is good and the two ships leave Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive for L’Isle-aux-Coudres every half hour.
The mayor of the municipality, Christyan Dufour, confirms that the crossings of the Félix-Antoine Savard and the Norwegian Svanoy are now running “smoothly”. “Everything works great, everything is right,” he says.
“We have to announce with great fanfare that everything is back to normal!” Éric Desgagnés, co-owner of Cidrerie and Vergers Pedneault, and the Corylus restaurant.
Mr Dufour also indicates that the Joseph-Savard ferry, originally due to return to L’Isle-aux-Coudres in June 2022, has started a month-long sea trials.
This is one of the final steps in the modernization that was completed nearly three years ago and is now budgeted at $43.3 million.
Advertising
The Société des traversiers du Québec has also awarded Tourisme L’Isle-aux-Coudres $65,000 “to encourage the start of the tourist season.” Of that amount, $15,000 has been set aside for an advertising campaign to promote the return of the two-vessel ferry service, three weeks ahead of schedule, as of June 8th.
Despite everything, the “damage is already done,” tell us traders, now concerned about the potential economic impact of the summer season.
“If the people aren’t there, we’ll never be able to make up for the losses we’ve had this winter. [en raison des problèmes de transport]”fears Mrs. Jodoin.
Arrival of the Europeans
Fortunately, the imminent arrival of European tourists in Quebec should help boost their sales, they point out.
“They haven’t heard much about the ferry problems themselves!” says Mr Desgagnés.
Concerned traders
“People still think there is no boat to get to the island,” Éric Desgagnés, co-owner of Cidrerie and Vergers Pedneault and restaurant Corylus.
“People heard six months ago that there were problems and they are not coming, but suddenly there is a problem. But the island is just as welcoming, I use the ferry several times a week and everything is fine, there is no problem,” Geneviève Jodoin, owner of Auberge la Fascine.
“These things worry me [les répercussions des problèmes de traversiers auprès des touristes] », Noëlle-Ange Harvey, owner of Boulangerie Bouchard.