The climate is changing, and you?

As climate variations occur more clearly season after season, scientists and tourism professionals are sounding the alarm and calling for a radical change in practices. If managers are globally Sensitive When asked, many still feel confused about the measures to be adopted. Concretely, how do you go about it? Here are a few examples of successful coping.

Rethinking models

Increased rainfall, reduced snow cover, or changes in the length of seasons make outdoor activities particularly vulnerable to climate change. In order to cope with new temperatures, operators are questioning the relevance of traditional models. As a result, the winter season is condensed and more events and related activities are offered over a shorter period of time. The pricing is also being redesigned. A single ticket can provide access to a variety of experiences and if the equipment allows, visitors can even change activities in the middle of their day.

Recognizing that the variability of snow conditions threatens the quality of the winter offer, Prat Peyrot ski resort of the Aigoual Massif, in France, has undertaken to convert itself into a multi-season ecostation. Resulting from an exchange between local elected officials and professionals, the process is intended to be participatory and integrates the considerations of experts, citizens, government bodies, visitors and the tourism industry. By 2020, the entire territory should be multi-activity and host a 5 km discovery trail, but also mountain biking, hiking and snowshoeing trails, interpretation circuits and an orienteering course.

In a context where every action taken by the industry can have an impact on host environments, the very purpose of the activities can be broadened. Thus, while camping is certainly associated with a moment of relaxation, the Camping Québec association sees it as an opportunity to make visitors aware of sustainable development. By joining forces with the NPO Sans Trace Canada, Camping Canada has put in place a code of conduct to minimize the impact of the activity on the environment and to introduce campers to responsible tourism. The syllabus is based on seven main principles:

The 7 Traceless Principles

- Get ready and plan
- Use sustainable surfaces
- Manage waste properly
- Leave what you find intact
- Minimize the impact of fires
- Respect wildlife
- Respect other users

Suggest an alternative offer

Climate change threatens the relative stability of the weather, which is necessary for strategic planning. To counter this reality and ensure visitor satisfaction, regardless of temperatures, the Enchanting estate, in Mauricie, offers a wide variety of activities. While the initial offer consisted of a network of icy trails in the woods, difficult to maintain in case of warm weather, the estate now offers experiences that are less vulnerable to the whims of Mother Nature: snowshoeing, an animal park, an animal park, a hebertism course, a hiking trail, a suspended labyrinth or even a ride on a small train.

Agrotourism also uses the diversification of the offer to compensate for the shortening of tourist seasons. The Domaine Labranche, a maple grove in Montérégie that has received numerous awards, also has an orchard and produces wine and various alcohols. The owners have applied the sugar shack concept to offer related dining experiences: the “Apple Cabin” and the “Holiday Cabin”. By adopting this strategy, the Domaine can now welcome visitors over three seasons (winter, spring and autumn).

In the same vein, the station of Bromont ski, which now takes the name Bromont, mountain of experiences, offers activities throughout the year in order to ensure a constant presence of visitors on the mountain. Skiing in winter, mountain biking all year round and a water park in summer, the resort also relies on events to show its dynamism and position itself as the reference in outdoor activities.

Supporting innovation

Resulting from a partnership between various experts in the tourism industry and climate change research, the Living Lab Laurentides is managed by Tourisme Laurentides. The objective is to support projects that propose measures to mitigate the consequences of climate change and minimize the emission of greenhouse gases, but also to explore proactive options leading to a transformation of the business practices of all players in the industry. To date, three projects have already integrated the Laurentides Living Lab.

Le P'tit Train du Nord Linear Park

The Living Lab is supporting the managers of Le P'tit Train du Nord to research different flooring options for bike paths. Based on international best practices, the analysis should lead to the use of recycled or vegetable materials for a cycle path that better tolerates episodes of heat and heavy rains. Throughout the process, experts, but also users, will be consulted.

City of Saint-Sauveur

During peak tourist periods, many visitors flock in motorized vehicles to downtown Saint-Sauveur. While significantly increasing greenhouse gas emissions, this situation threatens the quality of life of residents as well as the experience of travelers. The Living Lab is supporting the City of Saint-Sauveur in setting up a free electric bus shuttle system. Visitors and residents are invited to park their vehicles on the outskirts of downtown and to use this more responsible mode of transport.

Adapting trails

While the Mont-Tremblant Station, the City of Mont-Tremblant and the Montagne du Diable Regional Park simultaneously saw the quality of their hiking trails threatened by new climatic realities, the Living Lab brought them together under the same project. The objective is to identify development options in order to fight against the erosion of tracks and infrastructures due to heavy rains, but also to strengthen the safety of users and the protection of the environment.

These inspiring initiatives mitigate the inevitable nature of climate change by focusing on proactivity, partnership, adaptation and innovation. And you, what actions have you already put in place?

To go further on the subject, here is a selection of our articles:
3 strategies to better promote your sustainable practices and offers: Today's travelers are looking for sustainable deals, but often lack information. Here are 3 strategies: adopt a clear positioning, package the offer and obtain certification.‍

Pandemic and sustainable tourism: why and how to make your organization evolve in 5 steps:58% of consumers care more about the environment now than before the pandemic. Trends, challenges and advice to finally take action.

Analysis written by Camille Derelle Aubut and originally published on the site of Tourism monitoring network