The tourist industry is holding its breath

Photo AFP
Cuba held its breath yesterday at the approach of Irma. If it hits the popular tourist destination, the packages are available at a low price to the people of Quebec could be found. On the photo, of the inhabitants of the town of Caibarién bringing in their goods.

Francis Halin

Friday, September 8, 2017 21:55

UPDATE
Friday, September 8, 2017 21:55

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Irma could hurt the portfolio of Quebec who are at risk of having to pay more for their holiday next winter, because the destinations are affordable will be more rare, fear of travel agents consulted.

“If the hurricane hits Cuba, the all inclusive packages cheaper than 600 $ to 1000 $ will be more,” says Christophe Serrano, owner of the agency Travel Super Price and Travel live in Montreal.

According to him, if the Cayos of Cuba are affected, the tourists who can only afford to pay low-cost package deals will decide simply not to travel, which could be very, very bad travel agents.

Annie Gauthier, spokesperson for CAA Quebec, for its part, considers that it is too early to anticipate the behavior of the market. “Is it that there are people who want to take advantage of the situation ? You have to drop the dust before, ” she said.

Worried

Patrick Giguère, director of Travel Constellation, admits to also being worried by the planned visit of Irma in Cuba. “It’s a good thing that the dominican Republic has been spared… but I have the heart net when you will know to Cuba,” he says.

Paul Arsenault, the holder of the Transat Chair in tourism, recalled that Cuba is a communist country where labour is not missing. He thought that the Cubans would not delay for a moment before rebuild everything in time for the Christmas holidays. “Cuba will not remain closed a minute. I will go so far as to say that even if the island is very affected, it is certain that everything will be redone by the month of December, ” he said.

Short memory

Photo Francis Halin

Christophe Serrano
Prop. agency

Quebecers have a short memory, ” said Mr. Arsenault, who recalls that the tourists here continue to opt for the destinations in the Caribbean for years rather than choose the West coast, less affected by the vagaries of the weather.

Christophe Serrano, there is no doubt that this is the Mexico that raflera customers.

“I don’t think people are going to snub the sun,” says Patrick Giguère.