Quebec’s tourism industry has annual revenues of $12.8 billion, with 31,292 establishments across the province in restaurants (50%), recreation and entertainment (21%), accommodation (18%), transport (7%) and travel services (4%), and with a large majority being small businesses (84% have less than 20 employees) and a workplace that is often enchanting.
Want to participate in this economy committed to satisfying visitors who have decided to make Quebec their holiday destination? Here are 4 regions where to work in the tourism industry this summer.
Charlevoix
Since Quebec City, the neighbouring region, is up against a situation of full employment and is itself struggling to meet tourist demand, Charlevoix cannot rely on the metropolis to fill its labour needs. Yet summer after summer, crowds move around to mingle with its river and its wildlife, to stay in its picturesque villages or to sit at its fine restaurants. The region is therefore calling for a large number of summer workers. According to the Conseil québécois des ressources humaines en tourisme (CQRHT), the pressure on its tourism industry is likely to be even stronger in 2018 with the coming G7 Summit in La Malbaie in June.
Outaouais
The Outaouais is far from just being a way to get to Ottawa! There are parks, a casino, 800 km of trails, 20,000 lakes, national museums, 150 golf courses… In other words, a lot of potential employers. Working conditions are reputed to be excellent, particularly because they have to be competitive with those offered by government jobs, with a shortage of labour. Note also that the minimum wage in Ontario rose to $15/hour at the beginning of the year, which is likely to boost wages on the other side from the province.
Abitibi-Témiscamingue
Are you interested in adventure tourism and outdoor recreation? There are many of these jobs in this region where the locals are turning more to the very lucrative jobs of the mining industries. Another avenue – Abitibians are known for their festive spirit! So the region of tall spruce trees has an astonishing number of festivals and as a result a ton of jobs in the cultural field.
Gaspésie
Over the last few years, the region has been working hard to attract tourists, and its efforts have paid off! According to CQRHT, visitor traffic in 2017 was such that some services had to close and take breaks, since there was an insufficient number of employees to meet demand. There’s no shortage with salt air and full employment!
The tourism industry as a whole is juggling with a shortage of labour. Choose your destination, and have a good summer!
Related article: The Benefits of a First Job in the Tourism Industry