MONTRÉAL, July 24,
2024 /CNW/ - When it comes to tourism
development, Montrealers have a very positive overall perception
and a general sentiment above the average of other cities,
according to the 2023 Resident Sentiment Index Report revealed
today by Tourisme Montréal. The survey confirms the welcoming
nature of the city's residents and their desire to participate in
its tourism growth, while pointing out certain factors requiring
attention in order to make the destination more sustainable.
Based on the Resident Sentiment Index model from UN Tourism, the
annual survey sounded residents in order to harmoniously integrate
the city's tourism development strategy into local dynamics.
Montréal was compared to 13 cities in Canada and around the world, namely
Barcelona, Berlin, Bordeaux, Chicago, Copenhagen, London, Lyon,
Paris, Philadelphia, Quebec
City, Toronto, Vancouver and Washington.
The perception of the impact of tourism on some thirty
indicators was measured in each city, including local economy,
environmental protection, cleanliness, atmosphere and
infrastructure. In Montréal, residents of fifteen neighborhoods
were polled, including those of Rosemont-La
Petite-Patrie, Mercier-Hochelaga-Maisonneuve, Ville-Marie, Plateau-Mont-Royal, Sud-Ouest, Verdun, Outremont and West Island.
For a second consecutive year, Montrealers are more favorable to
welcoming visitors than their alter egos in the other cities
surveyed. Indeed, all key indicators reach higher levels in
Montréal than elsewhere. More precisely, when comparing the city's
results with the average of other destinations, the general
sentiment towards tourism in Montréal is 5% higher, the
support for the growth of tourism is 7% higher, and the
sentiment of consideration of residents by the tourism industry is
10% higher. In contrast, the sentiment of tourismphobia
still remains very low in Montréal, reaching only 4%, or 1%
lower than the average of the other cities polled.
"Residents are the face of our destination, so we are delighted
that Montréal presents a positive and above-average Resident
Sentiment Index once again this year," says Yves Lalumière,
president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. "The impact of tourism on
the life quality of our residents is one of the pillars of our
Sustainable Destination Policy, so it is important for us to keep a
finger on their pulse and to let them know that they are heard and
that they are part of our development approach."
Fun facts - Montréal Resident Sentiment Index Report
- Support for tourism growth is still very high, at 71%, placing
Montréal 7 points above the average.
- Tourismophobia remains very low in Montréal, at 4%, or 1% below
the average.
- 84% of residents surveyed say they are proud to welcome
visitors.
- 74% of residents surveyed think that tourism development has a
positive impact on the offer of cultural and recreational
activities.
- 75% of residents in neighborhoods highly frequented by visitors
identify themselves as tourism ambassadors.
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is a 100-year-old private, non-profit
organization that works to position Montréal as an
international-calibre leisure and business travel destination. To
this end, the organization is piloting innovative hospitality
strategies with a two-fold objective: ensuring that visitors enjoy
a memorable experience and maximizing tourism economic spin-offs in
a sustainable way with long-term impacts for the city. Uniting
nearly 1,000 businesses and organizations working directly or
indirectly in tourism, Tourisme Montréal plays a leading role in
the management and development of Montréal's tourism business, and
makes recommendations on issues surrounding the city's economic,
urban and cultural development. For more information, go to
www.mtl.org.
SOURCE Tourisme Montréal