MONTREAL – A big question mark hangs over Montreal’s summer tourism prospects because of swine flu, the city’s tourism agency said Tuesday.
Charles Lapointe, head of Tourism Montreal, said an estimated 80,000 Mexicans visited Montreal last year, and that market is potentially at risk because of concerns about spreading the virus that is suspected to have claimed 152 lives in Mexico and that has now spread to 16 countries around the world.
Canadian health officials have advised against non-essential travel to Mexico, but there has been no restrictions so far on travellers arriving in Canada from Mexico. Migrant workers from Mexico will get additional medical screening, however.
"We are nervous about that one," Lapointe said. "If this crisis continues this market may fall."
With each visitor spending an average of $450 over three days, the annual influx of Mexican tourists to Montreal represents $36 million.
The city will also take a hit because of the loss of the Formula One Grand Prix, he said. The annual event, cancelled last fall, drew 15,000 visitors a year.
"That was a big bonanza for the city," Lapointe said.
Tourism Montreal estimates 6.8 million tourists will visit Montreal in 2009, a 1.6 per cent drop over last year.
Montreal Gazette
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