Montreal hotels say more action from government needed to keep tourism industry alive
Montreal hotels say that even though they never shut down during the pandemic, they’re still losing a lot of money — and that many could close if the government doesn’t help.
“We are driving our business on credit cards,” said Marc Saunier, who manages Hotel Monville in downtown Montreal.
He says business has been slow throughout the Omicron wave. Of the hotel’s 270 rooms, an average of just 30 are booked every day, and cancellations keep coming.
“We lost all of the business we had on our books until the end of April,” he said.
An industry survey found that 40 per cent of Quebec hotels lost more than $100,000 in the last month.
And Saunier says the government isn’t doing enough to help.
“Taxes [are] coming in March — the city tax — and nobody has the money to pay for it," said Jean-Sebastien Boudreault, CEO of the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal (AHGM).
Aside from financial aid, hotels want the government to come up with an action plan to bring tourists back.
“We have international conferences coming in April and May and June and July. We want them to be reassured that they can come and be in Montreal,” said Boudreault.
Part of the problem, hotels say, is that tourists are avoiding Montreal because the restaurants are closed for indoor dining — restaurants that are also desperate for help.
The owners of Le Sh Moonshine BBQ in St-Henri say that even with a renewed emphasis on takeout, business is down around 70 per cent.
Owner Melissa Beaver says that although she understands hospitalizations are high, restaurant workers “need to be able to continue the restaurant lifestyle” that Montreal is “so well-known” for.
A spokesperson for the tourism minister said that since the beginning of the pandemic, the government has allocated $1.2 billion to support the tourism industry — but adds that, at this stage, safety must be prioritized when it comes to the reopening of businesses.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Montreal doctors' breakthrough discovery about causes of cerebral palsy giving hope
A breakthrough discovery made by doctors at the Montreal Children's Hospital about the causes of cerebral palsy is giving new hope to one West Island family.
Weather alerts issued for 7 provinces, 1 territory
Warnings of up to 60 millimetres of rain and other alerts have been issued for seven Canadian provinces and one territory ahead of the Easter weekend.
Ontario homeowner on the hook for $27,000 when contractor severed power line
An Ontario man who built a garage on his property has been locked in a battle with his electricity provider for a year and half over a severed power line.
For years she thought her son had died of an overdose. The police video changed all that
Austin Hunter Turner died in 2017, on a night that his mother has rewound and replayed again and again, trying to make sense of what happened.
Feeling older than you are? It could be how you sleep
Not getting enough sleep may cause you to feel five to 10 years older than you really are, according to two new studies.
OPP seize $7.5 million worth of drugs in eastern Ontario
The Upper Ottawa Valley Detachment of the Ontario Provincial Police says one person is facing multiple charges after a traffic complaint on Highway 17 in Head Clara Maria Township.
CRA no longer requiring 'bare trust' reporting in 2023 tax return
The Canada Revenue Agency announced Thursday it will not require 'bare trust' reporting from Canadians that it introduced for the 2024 tax season, just four days before the April 2 deadline.
Why Kim Kardashian is being sued for 'knockoff' furniture
The estate of minimalist contemporary artist Donald Judd filed a lawsuit against Kardashian this week, claiming the fashion and beauty mogul promoted 'cheap knockoffs' of his furniture designs.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.