Hotels in Quebec are experiencing lower booking numbers for the March break week compared to last year, with many citing budget constraints as a contributing factor.
Hotels across Quebec are experiencing a disappointing March break week, with fewer bookings compared to the same period last year. A survey conducted by the province's major hotel association revealed that out of 75 members, 43% reported a decline in bookings, while only 16% expected an increase. This trend underscores a broader concern regarding household budgets, which have been tightened post-pandemic.
Véronyque Tremblay, the president and CEO of the hotel association, highlighted that these lackluster numbers could be attributed to various factors, including economic pressures that households are currently facing. Despite the current downturn in bookings, Tremblay remains optimistic, suggesting that favorable weather conditions in the days ahead and the trend towards last-minute bookings could boost occupancy rates.
Additionally, the situation may improve for the third week of March, coinciding with Ontario's winter break, as some hotels expect an increase in guests at that time. This might provide a much-needed revenue boost for the struggling hospitality sector, reflecting a recovery pattern that has been noticed since the COVID-19 pandemic began to wane.
