MONTREAL, June 5, 2013 /CNW Telbec/ - With just a few days to go before this year's Formula 1 Grand Prix is set to run from June 7 to 9, Tourisme Montréal and the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal look to the 2013 edition with great optimism. The most important tourist event in Canada, Grand Prix weekend is the busiest of the year for many tourist industry members. As of last May 31, over 80% of hotel rooms in the Greater Montréal area were already booked, signalling the imminent arrival of tourists by the thousands to Montréal.
"Broadcast in over 150 countries and watched by some 310 million viewers around the globe, the Grand Prix du Canada is an incredibly important media event that showcases Montréal to the world," underlines the Honourable Charles Lapointe, President and Chief Executive Officer of Tourism Montréal. "Bars, restaurants, hotels and businesses across the island benefit largely from the economic spin-off this international event generates."
As such, the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal attests that Grand Prix weekend is, without question, the busiest time of year for Montréal hotels.
"During the Grand Prix, hotel occupancy rates generally reach 95% capacity, with an average daily guest room rate of $292.71 per night," adds Eve Paré, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal. "The Formula 1 Grand Prix has a considerable economic impact on the hotel industry. Visitors enjoy such a warm welcome and hospitality during their stay that they often reserve their room for next year while they are here!"
As of May 31, 2013, some 6,400 additional guest rooms were booked in advance and the occupancy rate is up by 11.6% over the average shown for the last three Grand Prix at the same time of year1.
In 2012, 8.4 million tourists visited Montréal and spent some $2.4 million in expenditures.
About the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal
Founded in 1949, the Hotel Association of Greater Montreal is the professional association of hotel establishments in Montreal. Its mission is to represent its members before government agencies and other organizations on various topics directly or indirectly affecting the hospitality industry in Montreal. The Association also guides and supports its members in their professional activities and initiates or contributes to relevant initiatives that promote the development and growth of the hotel industry in the Greater Montreal region. The association heads a group of hotels that counts some 17,500 guest rooms and contributes significantly to the 47,000 jobs generated by Montréal's tourism industry.
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, please visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.
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1 54,156 guest rooms were booked as of May 31, 2013, compared to an average of 47,739 rooms on the same date over the last three years.
SOURCE: Tourisme Montréal
Alexandra Graveline
Manager - Corporate Public Relations
Tourisme Montréal
514 844-3558
[email protected]
For the Hotel Association of Greater Montréal:
Noémie Prégent-Charlebois
Consultant
Tact-Intelligence conseil
514 716-8298
[email protected]
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