Are there more tourists to the Magdalen Islands?

However, Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine acknowledged that the relationship between tourists and Madelinats was currently suffering from an “imbalance”.

According to the statistics provided CTMAMaritime and Air Transport Cooperative25,126 passengers arrived at the islands by sea in June and July, a 5% decrease compared to the 2019 season.

Before the summer, the partners of the Madeleine community agreed not to exceed the unprecedented tourist limit of 2019, which is 67,900 visitors between May and October.

To do this, the CTMAMaritime and Air Transport Cooperative Compared to the 13 tours made by the former model, Cape-Ax-Mules reduced the number of weekly trips Madeleine II made between the first season to nine. The new boat can hold 300 cars, with its predecessor having a capacity of 190.

Since the capacity of the Model II is 1.5 times higher than that of the model, it is necessary to control the number of shortcuts to meet the purpose of the environment, which should not exceed the arrival of 2019. That’s how it is. We worked the tables, Director of Communication and Marketing explains CTMAMaritime and Air Transport Cooperative, Claudia Delaney.

The new Model II boat is 1.5 times the capacity of the previous ship (archives).

Photo: Radio-Canada / Isabel Laros

According to airline records, Modelinode officials have confirmed the number of spectators landing on the archipelago by air. Similar For 2019, but data on the three carriers serving the islands will not be released until October.

Circumstantial factors

While photos showing crowded parking lots and comments condemning over-tourism on social networks are on the rise, the mayor of Els-de-La-Madeleine is keen to put some elements into the environment.

According to Jonathan Lobier, unpredictable weather, labor shortages and reduced capacity of businesses due to health measures associated with Govt-19 are contributing to the appearance of increased traffic. He also recalled that as the archipelago passed later, comparisons with last year should be avoided Worst tourist season since 1996 With less than 30,000 viewers.

We had a special summer; Mr Lapierre says the weather on the islands is not good. So whenever the sun comes out, Medellinats and visitors like to take advantage of the good weather to hit the beaches. Often, everyone chooses the same beach, taking refuge from the wind. There is also the fact that we are perfect [rareté] Workers, so businesses and businesses can no longer offer their services as before. It is not a question of having more people, it is a question of having fewer employees.

There is a whole environment, yes, it brings with it the idea that there are plenty of people on the islands. In fact, this is not the case.

COVID-19 still limits the reception capacity of certain businesses (archives).

Photo: Radio-Canada / Isabel Laros

Jackie Bourier, president of Tourisme Îles de la Madeleine, thinks that some unforeseen factors contribute to curbing the feeling of ridership, but acknowledges nonetheless Pressure Emphasized in the middle. There are a lot of people in the archipelago and you can feel it, he said.

We hear that visitors, residents and businesses alike are a little more crowded for restaurants and existing infrastructure, Mr. The liar agrees. When there are too many people, it is not good for anyone.

We are really at a point where there is an imbalance.

Jackie Bourier, president of the Tourism Eles de la Medellin, believes that her organization needs to find balance in order to preserve Madellinot’s quality of life.

Photo: Radio-Canada / Isabel Laros

When asked if Ridership for 2019 is the highest goal, Mr Poyer responded: That figure is quite possible, but the pressure is still high because there are unknown factors at the time.

For now it doesn’t Thinking To reduce the travel limit below the 2019 limit, Jackie Poyer reports. This is the goal we have set for two more yearsHe noted that discussions will take place in the fall with various partners to reconsider the strengths and weaknesses of the summer.

Mr. Poirier added that the population will be consulted at the end of the tourist season Sustainable Tourism Strategy 2021-2026.

The 2021-2026 standard tourism strategy consists of five seasons, including four major seasons of major tourism development (Archives August 2019).

Photo: Radio-Canada / Philip Grenier

Partners are mobilized, and we all know that a balance must be maintained for the relationship between the audience and the audience., Says Mayor of the Islands Jonathan Lapierre. We want the Madelinads to find themselves through this.

Are there more tourists to the Magdalen Islands? Jonathan Lobier does not believe this question should be answered, but rather the tourism industry and the entire population of the islands.

Where is the line between an adequate or insufficient audience? He asks himself. We must not forget that among all the visitors, there is a very large proportion representing the island’s immigrants, namely our relatives, our brothers and our sisters who live outside the archipelago.

It is complex, managing tourism in an archipelago, Begins the mayor, noting that work needs to be done Reducing irritation Travel related.

Jonathan Lapierre promises that we do not want to distort what the islands are, and above all, we want to protect them to ensure the stability of the territory. We will do this in the next few months and years.