2023-06-30 04:00:00
L’Isle-aux-Coudres merchants say that the bad press linked to the ferry problems that occurred last winter is still causing concern among visitors, causing them to drop in traffic by nearly 30% at the start of the tourist season. .
The start of the summer season is more difficult for many merchants in Isle-aux-Coudres, who are discouraged from having to daily “undo” the bad reputation of ferries with their customers. Since May 30, the situation has returned to normal and two ferries are in operation.
Unlike previous years, merchants claim to have started the summer season “in slow motion”.
“The world is still calling to find out if it can cross,” laments Noëlle-Ange Harvey, owner of the Bouchard bakery.
Owner of Auberge La Fascine, singer Geneviève Jodoin, winner of the show The voice in 2019, she also claims to feel the repercussions.
She mentions that potential visitors fear going to the island for fear of not being able to leave.
“I really see the difference [par rapport aux années antérieures]. This is the most difficult year in terms of reservations and show ticket sales,” laments Ms. Jodoin, who has been in business in Isle-aux-Coudres for 10 years now.
Photo credit: photo provided by Geneviève Jodoin
“All is correct”
However, no breakage or major delay has been reported in recent weeks. The ferry service is going well and the two ships make crossings every half hour, from Saint-Joseph-de-la-Rive to L’Isle-aux-Coudres.
The mayor of the municipality, Christyan Dufour, confirms that the crossings, carried out by the Felix-Antoine Savard and Norwegian Svanoy, are now “fluid”. “Everything works great, everything is correct,” he says.
“We must announce with great fanfare that everything is back to normal!” launches Éric Desgagnés, co-owner of the Cidrerie and Vergers Pedneault, as well as the restaurant Corylus.
Mr. Dufour also specifies that sea trials lasting a month have begun for the ferry Joseph-Savardwhich was originally due to return to L’Isle-aux-Coudres in June 2022.
This is one of the last steps for its upgrade undertaken almost three years ago, whose budget today reaches $43.3 million.
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The Société des traversiers du Québec has also granted $ 65,000 to Tourisme L’Isle-aux-Coudres “to promote the start of the tourist season”. Of this amount, $15,000 was allocated to an campaign to promote the return of the two-ship ferry service, three weeks earlier than planned, since June 8.
Despite everything, the “damage was already done”, tell us the traders, now worried regarding the possible economic fallout for the summer season.
“If people are not there, we will never be able to make up for the losses we had this winter. [en raison des problèmes de transport]“fears Ms. Jodoin.
Arrival of Europeans
Fortunately, the imminent arrival of European tourists in Quebec should help improve their sales, they point out.
“They haven’t heard too much regarding the ferry problems themselves!” says Mr. Desgagnés.
Concerned traders
“People still think that there is no boat to come to the Isle”, Éric Desgagnés, co-owner of the Cidrerie and Vergers Pedneault, as well as the Corylus restaurant.
“People heard there were problems six months ago and won’t come, suddenly there is a problem. But the island is just as welcoming, I use the ferry several times a week and everything is fine, there is no problem,” Geneviève Jodoin, owner of Auberge la Fascine.
“It worries me these things [les répercussions des problèmes de traversiers auprès des touristes] », Noëlle-Ange Harvey, owner of Boulangerie Bouchard.
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