For the second year in a row, more than 150,000 cruise passengers visited the Port of Québec in 2024, confirming the recovery of the international cruise market and its impact on the economy of the greater Québec City region. Last season, the Port of Québec also continued its green shift, with the aim of reducing industry-related greenhouse gas emissions by 50% compared to 2022 levels by 2030.
In 2024, no fewer than 112 cruise ships stopped over in Québec City, bringing a total of 154,299 visitors to the region, a number similar to the previous year and to pre-pandemic years. Over 4 million tourists visit the Québec City region every year and cruise passengers represent 4% of all tourists in the city.
“The Port of Québec continues to reinvent the way it welcomes cruise passengers by placing sustainable development and respect for our community at the heart of its actions, thanks to strengthened collaboration between stakeholders, notably with the Forum sur les croisières internationales de Québec. Together, we’re building a responsible tourism model that meets the expectations of cruise passengers while protecting our local heritage,” says Mario Girard, President and CEO of the Port of Québec.
Highlights of the 2024 season
- 112 ship stopovers
- 42 different ships from 23 different cruise lines
- 154,299 cruise passengers
- 8 new ships visiting Québec City for the first time
- 28 arrival and departure operations
The green shift continues
Over the years, the Port of Québec has implemented a number of measures to reduce the environmental impact of cruises. By 2014, it had become the first port in the world to proactively limit its number of visitors per day, introducing a cap of 15,000 daily visitors to reduce pressure on local infrastructure and negative impacts on citizens’ quality of life.
The Port of Québec was also among the first to adopt a sustainable tourism plan. The electrification of the three cruise wharves, a project estimated at $45 million, is a key element of this environmental commitment. Over the past year, funding applications have been submitted to both levels of government, as well as to Hydro-Québec, to make this initiative a reality.
In line with its 2035 Vision, the Port of Québec became a key partner of the MT Lab in 2023. This incubator supports innovation by fostering relationships between innovative Québec companies.
(Photo of cruise ship in Québec)
