THE PORT OF QUÉBEC WELCOMES ITS ONE MILLIONTH CRUISE SHIP PASSENGER

10/10/2014

Québec, October 10, 2014 – This week, the Port of Québec welcomed its one millionth passenger since the construction of the Ross Gaudreault Cruise Terminal in 2002. The passenger arrived yesterday morning aboard the Seabourn Quest, a ship belonging to Holland America Line (HAL).

Ms. Pamela Oates of San Diego, California, was the one millionth cruise ship passenger to arrive at the terminal, which is dedicated to international cruise ships and to Port of Québec events. To celebrate her arrival, the Québec Port Authority treated Ms. Oates to a day of VIP treatment in the Capitale-Nationale.

“It has really been a fantastic year for the Port of Québec. In addition to having a record season in terms of traffic, we had the honour of welcoming our one millionth passenger. Since 2002, the Port of Québec has gone from a port of call to a port of embarkation/disembarkation. We are now the primary destination for international cruises in Quebec. This is very good for the economy of the city and the regions, which also benefit from the increasing number of cruise ships that stop here,” said Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Québec Port Authority.

A popular destination

The Port of Québec is headed for a record year in terms of traffic, with 110 cruise ship visits in 2014, including a record of 6 ships and 20,000 passengers in a single day—something that had never been seen until October 3rd.

The Port of Québec is a major attraction, and this year it welcomed 5 new ships to its wharfs: the Pearl Mist, the Seabourn Quest, the Hamburg, the Crystal Serenity and the Legend of the Seas. It continues to be Holland America Line’s most popular destination.

“In an effort to ensure proper management and continued growth, we will have to make some significant investments in our infrastructure. Some of the work required includes reconfiguring the current terminal to facilitate embarkation/disembarkation operations, renovating the wharfs and updating logistical equipment as well as the construction of a second terminal. There is no doubt that, with community and government support, that challenge can be met in the coming years,” said Mr. Girard.

Growth that benefits the region’s economy

Over the years, the Port of Québec has made progress in leaps and bounds, and last year reached a new record with 164,000 visitors. Embarkation/disembarkation operations have increased by an average of about 20% per year, really making the Port of Québec the top cruise port on the St. Lawrence River in terms of international cruise ships. Cruise ship activities in Québec generate $23M in economic impact yearly and also provide an exceptional international spotlight on this region.

“I would like to take this opportunity to highlight the phenomenal work done by the port’s team and by all those working with the ships. They have collaborated effectively in recent months, ensuring that all the operations involved in docking a cruise ship have been completed with excellence,” said Mr. Girard.

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Source:

Marie-Andrée Blanchet
Advisor, Public Relations and Events
Québec Port Authority
418-648-3640
[email protected]