(Originally published in TOURISM)
Jonview’s Claire Bessette looks after the group travel segment for Canada, and both group and FIT products for Atlantic Canada. She has gained some valuable insight into what's “in” and what’s “out” in the motorcoach and group sectors, where that which is fashionable always seems to win the day.
“For Europeans, coming to Québec seems not so much in vogue these days, while Asia and Eastern Europe are more alluring. The fact Eastern European countries have opened up is very tempting for European travellers considering a multitude of factors like proximity, jet lag and price competitiveness (especially on air fare), says Bessette. “When we look at Thailand, which suffered as a destination following the tsunami, we see they are doing everything they can to bring tourists back home. This includes offering hard-to-resist products and high quality experiences.”
However Bessette notes that, as destinations go, Quebec is in a bit of a unique situation because of the linguistic dimension which is so rich in opportunities for motorcoach tour operators and suppliers: “I look after the francophone European group market, which includes France, Belgium and Luxembourg. My sense is that suppliers today must be extremely imaginative and inventive. We have to instil in people abroad a longing to come here. We must create the need to visit Québec and Canada now,” she says.
“We are not what we could refer to as an ‘at risk’ destination. There is no rush to come here; 10 years from now, Canada will still be there, as stable as it has ever been,” Bessette continues. “That’s the picture in people’s mind. Whereas in the case of places like China, people might think: ‘I should go to China before things change.’”
Bessette believes Canada is not perceived as exotic at the moment. “This is a perception we must change. We must become exotic, and we need everybody’s help in doing that. The tourism industry is in constant evolution; we must follow market trends. If we don’t, we will die.”
Jonview’s Claire Bessette looks after the group travel segment for Canada, and both group and FIT products for Atlantic Canada. She has gained some valuable insight into what's “in” and what’s “out” in the motorcoach and group sectors, where that which is fashionable always seems to win the day.
“For Europeans, coming to Québec seems not so much in vogue these days, while Asia and Eastern Europe are more alluring. The fact Eastern European countries have opened up is very tempting for European travellers considering a multitude of factors like proximity, jet lag and price competitiveness (especially on air fare), says Bessette. “When we look at Thailand, which suffered as a destination following the tsunami, we see they are doing everything they can to bring tourists back home. This includes offering hard-to-resist products and high quality experiences.”
However Bessette notes that, as destinations go, Quebec is in a bit of a unique situation because of the linguistic dimension which is so rich in opportunities for motorcoach tour operators and suppliers: “I look after the francophone European group market, which includes France, Belgium and Luxembourg. My sense is that suppliers today must be extremely imaginative and inventive. We have to instil in people abroad a longing to come here. We must create the need to visit Québec and Canada now,” she says.
“We are not what we could refer to as an ‘at risk’ destination. There is no rush to come here; 10 years from now, Canada will still be there, as stable as it has ever been,” Bessette continues. “That’s the picture in people’s mind. Whereas in the case of places like China, people might think: ‘I should go to China before things change.’”
Bessette believes Canada is not perceived as exotic at the moment. “This is a perception we must change. We must become exotic, and we need everybody’s help in doing that. The tourism industry is in constant evolution; we must follow market trends. If we don’t, we will die.”
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