Quebec hotels are seeing fewer reservations for spring break

Sheraton Hotel, Hamilton, Ont. (Marriott)

Many hotels in Quebec are expecting a rather “quiet” spring break, according to the Quebec Hotel Association (AHQ), based on a survey of its members.

Reservations are “generally down” compared to the same period last year, says the AHQ, even though spring break is taking place at the same time this year for most elementary and secondary schools in the province.

According to the quick survey conducted last week, 84 per cent of the 75 establishments surveyed said they were experiencing “a stable or weaker situation” than in 2025.

“More specifically, 40 per cent say the break is comparable to last year, 43 per cent consider it quieter, and only 16 per cent report better performance,” the association said in a news release on Monday.

However, this situation could change over the next few days and ultimately lead to a higher occupancy rate than expected, said AHQ CEO Véronyque Tremblay.

“It could change because we’re still expecting a lot of last-minute bookings, especially with the good weather. Everything could change a lot,” she said in an interview.

There are many reasons why several hotels claim to have lower booking rates than last year, Tremblay said.

Economic or budgetary factors may be among them. But last-minute bookings have become increasingly common since the pandemic, the AHQ executive noted.

Recent events that have caused instability in certain sun destinations, particularly Cuba and Mexico, seem to have had very little impact on reservations in Quebec so far.

Barely one per cent of respondents to the survey mentioned seeing a positive effect related to this situation, the AHQ points out.

Next week, when some CEGEP students will also be on break, is also expected to be quieter. Most universities and several CEGEPs are currently on break.

“The fact that it is concentrated in one week may have had an impact on the second week of break. Usually, there is a slight peak during these two weeks,” says Tremblay.

Some hoteliers have told her that they are expecting a very good third week in March, as this period coincides with winter break in Ontario schools.

Rooms still available

The average reservation rate is 50 per cent for the current week. The Laurentians and Quebec City were the two regions with the highest rates according to the survey responses, at 69 and 60 per cent, respectively, according to the AHQ.

In light of these figures, the AHQ had a message for Quebecers who want to travel during spring break: it’s not too late to book.

“For those who decide at the last minute, don’t worry, don’t hesitate, there are still great places available,” says Tremblay.

The AHQ is encouraging consumers to book directly with the hotel. There’s nothing stopping consumers from shopping around and comparing prices on different websites.

If you’re making a booking, you’ll save money by making a reservation on the hotel’s official website or by calling the establishment, according to the association. First, it promotes local purchasing without having to pay a commission to an online booking agency abroad.

“But also because you can often get better terms. Sometimes it might be a free breakfast or an upgrade,” says Tremblay.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published in French on Feb. 3, 2026.