Despite the lack of snow, many tourists chose Montreal as their vacation destination as the winter tourist season gets off to a fast start.
Tourisme Montréal estimates that average hotel occupancy will be 67% in December 2023, compared to 55% in December 2019.
These figures are very close to last year's record occupancy of 68%, highlighted by the numerous dignitaries present in Montreal for the implementation of COP15.
“This is a significant increase of 12%,” explains Aurélie de Blois, spokeswoman for Tourisme Montréal. This also shows us that there is room for growth because if we compare for example with the summer where we have occupancy of 78% and 80% with points at 90%, there is still room for growth. The place that welcomes many visitors to the metropolis.”
“It’s going very well,” she adds. If we trust our forecasts, visitors will never have been so numerous during the winter season in Montreal. This is very good news. Montreal has had an excellent reputation in the summer for decades and Tourisme Montréal works twelve months a year to build on that reputation.”
The lack of a white carpet at Christmas will not have discouraged visitors.
“Even though it’s not snowing, the mood is festive,” says the speaker. There are many visitors who flock especially to the entertainment district. The animation is continuous there. “Many people also flock to Old Montreal, including the Montreal Ferris Wheel, the largest in Canada.”
The metropolis is receiving more and more international tourists.
“In 2023, we found that there were about 15% more visitors from other countries, particularly due to the addition of direct flights, including those from Toulouse, Copenhagen and Delhi,” says Ms. de Blois.
“About 30% of visitors come from Quebec,” she continues. Another 30% of visitors come from Ontario. Our neighbors really like Montreal.”
Tourisme Montréal expects tourists to continue to be present in Montreal next year.
“The prospects for 2024 are good,” says the spokesman. We talk about positive stability. We expect the number of our visitors to increase by around 3% in 2023.”
Many events are planned for 2024, including the 150th anniversary of Parc Jean-Drapeau.
See the explanations in the video above