MONTRÉAL, Oct. 29, 2015 /CNW Telbec/ – As Montréal says goodbye to the Regent Seven Seas Cruises – SS Navigator, the city’s cruise season is coming to a close—but only after a record season. The results for 2015 confirm that Montréal is an essential destination for international cruise lines.
The season got started on May 12 and lasted until today. In all, Montréal recorded 73 cruise ships visits this year, which is 29 more than in 2014. According to preliminary numbers, more than 92,000 passengers and crew members transited through the cruise terminal this season, representing a nearly 30% increase over the 2014 season and a 94% hike since the Montréal Cruise Committee was created in 2011.
“Much to the delight of local business owners, a flood of tourists poured through the city’s streets this year. Hotels also benefitted from this high-value clientele, as many travellers extended their trips and stayed a few extra nights in Montréal,” said Yves Lalumière, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourisme Montréal. “I would like to applaud the excellent work we’ve seen from the Montréal Cruise Committee, whose main objective is to attract international-calibre cruise lines to Montréal.”
Cruise season on the portion of the St. Lawrence River that leads to Montréal is from May to November. The busiest months are September and October, when travellers come to see the fall colours and discover Québec’s natural and cultural offerings. According to data collected by the Montréal Cruise Committee, clients are primarily American (72%), Australian (8.5%), Canadian (7.5%) and English (4.5%).
The 2016 cruise season also promises to be excellent, with confirmations indicating that next year could be just as strong as this year.
“Once again, the numbers prove that Montréal’s cruise market is growing rapidly, generating significant economic spinoffs for the entire city. I’d like to thank the Montréal Cruise Committee, as these results are in large part thanks to their efforts. At the Montréal Port Authority, we continue to work on the restoration of the Alexandra Pier and the maritime terminal, which will position Montréal as an international port of call that offers outstanding quality to cruise lines and travellers,” said Sylvie Vachon, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Montréal Port Authority.
About the Montréal Cruise Committee
Supported by Tourisme Québec, the Montréal Cruise Committee works closely with the Montréal Port Authority and Tourisme Montréal, as well as five other local organizations: Aéroports de Montréal, the Old Port of Montréal Corporation, the Old Montréal Business Development Corporation, and the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal. For more information about cruises in Montréal, go to: cruisesmontreal.com.
About the Port of Montréal
Operated by the Montréal Port Authority (MPA), the Port of Montréal is a major diversified transshipment centre that handles all types of goods – containerized and non-containerized cargo, liquid bulk and dry bulk. It is a leading container port served by the largest container shipping lines in the world.
The Port of Montréal handled 1,402,393 TEUs (20-foot equivalent units) in 2014, representing 12,575,069 tonnes of cargo. The Port also handled 9,246,741 tonnes of liquid bulk, and 8,433,434 tonnes of dry bulk, including 4,075,879 tonnes of grain. The total des volume of goods handled in 2014 amounted to 30,445,984 million tonnes.
The Port of Montréal has its own railway network directly dockside. It is connected to the two national rail networks and a highway system. The Port operates a passenger terminal that welcomed 71,044 passengers and crew members in 2014. All other terminals are run by private stevedoring firms.
Port activity supports 16,000 jobs and generates $2.1 billion in economic spin-offs annually. For more information, visit www.port-montreal.com.
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the “Montréal” destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal’s tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market.
For more information, visit www.mtl.org.
SOURCE Tourisme Montréal
