16:00 on 2012/07/27 Reply  

• Ephraim 17:56 on 2012/07/27 Permalink

  Well, I can tell you that I don’t see the same numbers. And the Europeans… haven’t shown up in the usual numbers at all.

• qatzelok 20:07 on 2012/07/27 Permalink

  Yeah, the Spanish and Greeks seem to be staying away. Is this because of all the protests in Berri Square?

  /chamber of commerce minded

• Chris 08:17 on 2012/07/28 Permalink

  The euro/CAD exchange rate is the worst its ever been, for tourists coming here: http://www.theglobeandmail.com/report-on-business/top-business-stories/great-time-for-european-vacation-as-loonie-hits-record-high-against-euro/article4413750/

• Ephraim 15:38 on 2012/07/28 Permalink

  The Spanish and Greeks don’t make a dent in our tourist numbers. But the French have stayed away and that is significant and yes the strike would more likely affect them, they have an aversion to strikes of any kind on holiday. We may be making out numbers, but it’s not the same tourists and not spending the same amount of money.

• Kate 16:28 on 2012/07/28 Permalink

  I don’t doubt there are multiple causes for this trend, as always, but I suspect Ephraim wants it to be mostly the students, while it’s probably mostly the exchange rate.

• Jack 16:30 on 2012/07/28 Permalink

  People,
  When ever you see a tourist with a map open, go up and ask if you can help.You would not believe what this one act of graciousness can say about our city.Why I say this is having traveled extensively with kids I can still remember in London,England and Valencia,Spain being completely befuddled by a medieval grid and map when someone came up unsolicited to help.It made me feel warm and fuzzy about their cities.

• Kate 16:32 on 2012/07/28 Permalink

  I often do, Jack. Sometimes men get kind of peevish about the implication that they can’t navigate and will turn me down, but quite often people are relieved to get some advice from a non-threatening local.

  Another thing I’ve done a few times lately is notice people slewing around nervously on the bus trying to spot street signs, sometimes comparing what they see to a map, and offer to let them know when their stop is coming up.

• Ephraim 06:39 on 2012/07/29 Permalink

  Kate, the exchange rate is one factor. But from experience, the French often book months in advance, before the exchange rate went really bad. The Americans tend to book two to three weeks in advance. I’ve seen the trend over the years. Since most of my travelers are from three countries, it’s hard for me to tell any other trends with other countries.

  Now, not booking for the winter… that’s really the exchange rate. And from what I can see, we can expect more of a dip because of the exchange rate.

  Don’t care if it is the students or not. I care that I’m not seeing the same numbers as previous years. The Americans don’t usually spend as long in the province as the French do. That’s significant to areas outside of Montreal and to our tax picture in general. Visitors from France may spend two weeks here. American visitors may spend 4 or 5 days and tend to visit Quebec City and Montreal and are done!

  Meanwhile, Quebec City is seeing record numbers and it’s not translating to Montreal. The tourism department in Quebec City is doing a fantastic job.

• qatzelok 00:50 on 2012/07/30 Permalink

  Ephraim, are you suggesting we forget about pretentious crap like “education” and just work on pleasing all those white-god tourists? Perhaps offer to shine their shoes for free?

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