Tourism industry will not fare without state support

#Quebec; #TourismIndustry; #deconfinement; #agrotourism; #HotelIndustry

News release

Duhamel-Ouest, QC, June 5 (Canadian-Media): As the month of June begins, the situation becomes critical for the tourism industry in Quebec. The planned deconfinement will not be enough in the middle to catch its breath: tourism will not be at all like in previous years.

Quebec Tourism. Image credit: Twitter handle

"The tourism industry has been told for weeks that the government will support them, however, apart from permission to reopen, nothing concrete has yet been announced. The Minister of Tourism seems to be proud that on deconfinement to revive the industry, but that is not enough, on the ground businesses will continue to wrest from it, "insists the responsible person in charge of development and vitality of the territories, Émilise Lessard-Therrien.
The tourist season starts late and even with a recovery, the volume will not be up to the usual years. Businesses also have to juggle with the shortage of labor, health measures that impact spending and their services. The industry needs clear measures and financial support.

Québec solidaire requests the government to:
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• Detail as quickly as possible the schedule for the second phase of deconfinement for the tourism sector, including agrotourism and the hotel industry;
• Present a financial assistance plan to tourism businesses, in the form of support to cover fixed costs;
• Offer Quebec travelers a tax credit to boost the tourism industry within Quebec.

Tourism would not exist without accommodation, a sector hit hard. The majority of hoteliers and accommodation establishments are family businesses that employ 42,000 people and generate economic spinoffs of $ 2 billion.

​For the regions of Quebec, the tourism industry is not only a major economic lever, but an essential link in regional dynamism. "The government is not shy about giving $ 200 million to a single foreign-owned company, but is watching local companies shut down. Without support, it is the vitality of Quebec's regions that is endangered, ”worries the member for Rouyn-Noranda-Témiscamingue.