More visitors in spring and fall this year

According to industry players, the trend to spread out the tourist season seems to be confirmed this year.

From CTMA, car rental agencies and the Château Madelinot, the preliminary observation is clear: more visitors are booking their stay in the Islands outside the high season.

Contacted in mid-April, CTMA notes a marked increase in reservations for June, with a significant advance over those of 2021, says its director of communications and marketing, Claudia Delaney.

The same is true for the Château Madelinot, confirms sales manager Ariane Bérubé, who notes a notable increase in the occupancy rate of rooms in late spring and fall compared to previous years.

The same is true for Marie-Ève Lapierre, co-owner of the Agence de location des Îles, who has noticed a surge in demand in July and August.

The months of June and September have filled up more quickly than in the past, an observation shared by stakeholders.

At Leblanc Car Rental, the first calls came in late December 2021, says Chiasson, and the phone has been ringing ever since.

The early rush of visitors is explained by the absence of travel restrictions related to the COVID-19, according to Michel Bonato, general manager of Tourisme Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

The president of the ATR, Jacky Poirier, points out that a survey conducted among members supports the idea that traffic will now extend beyond the high season.

He also appealed to the patience of Magdalen Islanders and visitors as the challenges related to the lack of manpower will continue to affect businesses this summer.

It should be noted that once again this year, the community partners and the carriers have agreed to limit traffic at the height of the season to below the 2019 threshold.