Visitors can be categorised by their mode of access to the territory of the archipelago. These are of three types: ferry, plane and cruise. Entries to the archipelago were steadily increasing until the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Increases of 31% in total arrivals in 10 years and a 25.3% increase in arrivals in the summer season. Efforts to spread out the season are slowly bearing fruit, with a 7% drop in the relative weight of access during the summer period between 2010 and 2019. By summer season, we refer to the period from May 1 to October 31.
In 2016, during the end-of-stay survey, excluding international cruise lines, more than 80% of visitors were from Quebec, the destination thus being dependent on the province's domestic market to fill up with visitors. There 6% of visitors arriving from Ontario, 5.1% from the Maritimes, 2.2% from the United States, 2.9% from Europe and 2.5% from other origins. The average stay of visitors who arrive by ferry during the summer period in the Magdalen Islands is 8.5 nights for Quebec customers and 6 nights for customers outside Quebec. As for visitors arriving by plane, their length of stay is 7.8 nights for customers from Quebec and 8.3 nights for customers outside Quebec.
These substantial lengths of stay reflect the destination status of the Magdalen Islands, being a trip in itself rather than a stop on a circuit. Thus, expenses at the destination are consistent with the length of stay. Indeed, in 2012 destination expenses for the year were estimated at 50.7 million Canadian dollars, excluding transport costs to access the archipelago. A mathematical estimate of spending for visitors in 2019 was made taking into account the increase in attendance and the consumer price index (CPI). This estimate amounts to $79 million.
Furthermore, the benefits of tourism activity are not limited to their economic impacts in dollars. Tourism contributes to the development of agri-food products which are also exported to the continent all year round and helps stimulate entrepreneurship with the creation of tourism services and businesses. In addition, the cultural and event offerings could hardly be as diverse without tourist numbers. This offer also contributes to the attractiveness of the region and the quality of life of residents.
Visitors can be categorised by their mode of access to the territory of the archipelago. These are of three types: ferry, plane and cruise. Entries to the archipelago were steadily increasing until the shock of the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020. Increases of 31% in total arrivals in 10 years and a 25.3% increase in arrivals in the summer season. Efforts to spread out the season are slowly bearing fruit, with a 7% drop in the relative weight of access during the summer period between 2010 and 2019. By summer season, we refer to the period from May 1 to October 31.
In 2016, during the end-of-stay survey, excluding international cruise lines, more than 80% of visitors were from Quebec, the destination thus being dependent on the province's domestic market to fill up with visitors. There 6% of visitors arriving from Ontario, 5.1% from the Maritimes, 2.2% from the United States, 2.9% from Europe and 2.5% from other origins. The average stay of visitors who arrive by ferry during the summer period in the Magdalen Islands is 8.5 nights for Quebec customers and 6 nights for customers outside Quebec. As for visitors arriving by plane, their length of stay is 7.8 nights for customers from Quebec and 8.3 nights for customers outside Quebec.
These substantial lengths of stay reflect the destination status of the Magdalen Islands, being a trip in itself rather than a stop on a circuit. Thus, expenses at the destination are consistent with the length of stay. Indeed, in 2012 destination expenses for the year were estimated at 50.7 million Canadian dollars, excluding transport costs to access the archipelago. A mathematical estimate of spending for visitors in 2019 was made taking into account the increase in attendance and the consumer price index (CPI). This estimate amounts to $79 million.
Furthermore, the benefits of tourism activity are not limited to their economic impacts in dollars. Tourism contributes to the development of agri-food products which are also exported to the continent all year round and helps stimulate entrepreneurship with the creation of tourism services and businesses. In addition, the cultural and event offerings could hardly be as diverse without tourist numbers. This offer also contributes to the attractiveness of the region and the quality of life of residents.
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