Québec Marine Transportation Policy - Transport - Gouvernement ...

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Decreasing costs and large-scale savings on new ships have
made cruise trips more affordable. In 1986 the average age
of cruise passengers was 56 but in the past five years, the
age dropped to 46.2. More and more people today regard
cruise trips as a vacation style they can afford. The major
destinations are still the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the
Bahamas and Alaska. Since 1990, the Mediterranean has
overtaken the Bahamas for second place in terms of number of passengers carried, after the
Caribbean.
International cruises on the Saint-Laurent
Passenger traffic from the international cruise business in the Québec City and Montréal ports
between 1989 and 2000 has fluctuated between 20,000 and more than 51,000, with a high in
1991 and a significant drop in 1996. In the year 2000, international cruise ships brought in 35,000
visitors.
(millions of days-beds/year)
40,0
35,0
30,0
25,0
20,0
15,0
10,0
5,0
0,0
North American passengers
by cruise type
1983 1989 1993 1999
Source : Cruise Lines International Association
Cold water
Warm water
The potential is also
there for developing
cold water cruises on
the Saint-Laurent
September and October continue to be the busiest months as this is the low season in other parts
of the world and our fall landscapes are breathtaking. The cruise season could, however, be
extended to include the period from May to September. The challenge for the Saint-Laurent,
therefore, is to promote the various attractions and beautiful scenery along its 1,600 km. The
Saint-Laurent and its tributaries, all the way up to the Great Lakes, are well developed for the
international cruise industry but also offer wonderful opportunities for local excursions or
recreational boating. Strong promotional initiatives should also focus on cruises into Québec’s
interior and boat excursions.
Cruise activities of all kinds are becoming increasingly popular and require adequate and very
specific port facilities. The potential is also there for developing cold water cruises that have
gained popularity in recent years. Québec can become a significant attraction for this type of
cruise travel in Eastern North America.