Controlled Return of Cruises to Québec City Blends Innovation and Sustainability
11/14/2024
Québec City, November 14, 2024 — For the second year in a row, more than 150,000 cruise passengers visited the Port of Québec in 2024, confirming the recovery of the international cruise market and its impact on the economy of the greater Québec City region. Last season, the Port of Québec also continued its green shift, with the aim of reducing industry-related greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2022 levels by 2030.
In 2024, no fewer than 112 cruise ships stopped over in Québec City, bringing a total of 154,299 visitors to the region, a number similar to the previous year and to pre-pandemic years. Over 4 million tourists visit the Québec City region every year and cruise passengers represent 4% of all tourists in the city.
“The Port of Québec continues to reinvent the way it welcomes cruise passengers by placing sustainable development and respect for our community at the heart of its actions, thanks to strengthened collaboration between stakeholders, notably with the Forum sur les croisières internationales de Québec. Together, we’re building a responsible tourism model that meets the expectations of cruise passengers while protecting our local heritage,” says Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Port of Québec.
Highlights of the 2024 season
• 112 ship stopovers
• 42 different ships from 23 different cruise lines
• 154,299 cruise passengers
• 8 new ships visiting Québec City for the first time
• 28 arrival and departure operations
The green shift continues
Over the years, the Port of Québec has implemented a number of measures to reduce the environmental impact of cruises. By 2014, it had become the first port in the world to proactively limit its number of visitors per day, introducing a cap of 15,000 daily visitors to reduce pressure on local infrastructure and negative impacts on citizens’ quality of life.
The Port of Québec was also among the first to adopt a sustainable tourism plan. The electrification of the three cruise wharves, a project estimated at $45 million, is a key element of this environmental commitment. Over the past year, funding applications have been submitted to both levels of government, as well as to Hydro-Québec, to make this initiative a reality.
In line with its 2035 Vision, the Port of Québec became a key partner of the MT Lab in 2023. This incubator supports innovation by fostering relationships between innovative Québec companies. This season, pilot projects focusing more specifically on the customer experience and sustainable mobility were implemented. These initiatives meet the needs of cruise passengers and citizens alike, while contributing to the Port’s sustainable development objectives for 2030.
Winter cruises
The next international cruise season kicks off in winter, with Le Commandant Charcot, Ponant’s high polar exploration cruise ship, visiting in January. This visit will help boost winter tourism, a long-standing objective of local tourism stakeholders.
“The cruise season is a major contributor to the prosperity of the tourism industry in the Greater Québec City area. Not only does it make an important economic contribution, it also provides an exceptional international showcase. Through the network of cruise lines, Québec City is a destination for hundreds of thousands of travelers worldwide. We’re delighted to see how the Port and the industry are taking steps to make cruises increasingly eco-responsible. We salute the progress made” says Destination Québec cité’s General Manager, Robert Mercure.
About cruises
A popular destination for visitors, Québec City has become one of the world’s top destinations for many cruise lines and tourism media. This popularity within the cruise industry helps generate significant economic and tourism benefits for the region. At the end of the 2019 season, the St. Lawrence Cruise Association estimated that the province would benefit over $700 million.
About the Port of Québec
The Québec Port Authority, a non-profit organization, manages the port of Québec, which is strategically located to serve North America’s industrial and agricultural heartland. This Canadian hub for international trade for both the import and export of goods is the only port in the province of Québec with a fifteen-meter depth of water at low tide and a comprehensive intermodal infrastructure. The Port facilities generate 10,000 jobs and about two billion dollars in economic activity.
With it’s 2035 Vision, the Port of Québec aims to be recognized by citizens for the responsible management of its territory, respect for the environment and protection of biodiversity while positioning itself as a world leader in establishing sustainable supply chains for a more resilient economy.
About Destination Québec cité
Destination Québec cité counts more than 825 members in Québec City. L’Ancienne-Lorette, Saint-Augustin-de-Desmaures, Wendake and the surrounding areas of Portneuf, Jacques-Cartier, Île d’Orléans, and Côte-de-Beaupré. It guides and leads the tourism industry’s growth and contributes to industry prosperity through its marketing and development efforts, hospitality services for tourists, and information for the industry.
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For more information
Frédéric Lagacé
Communications Director
418-929-5031
[email protected]