“This is a clearly significant moment for us,” said Stephane Maquaire, President and Chief Executive Officer of Club Med, as he addressed an audience of partners, suppliers, local dignitaries and media, on the construction site of the future Club Med Tremblant.
“Club Med is the pioneer of the all-inclusive vacation concept and the global leader in premium vacations, and the only hospitality brand specializing in all-inclusive ski resorts,” he said.
“We want to be (the) partner of Mont Tremblant, Station Mont Tremblant in the future and ensure its visibility around the world. More than that, we will have customers from all over the world and we will create a specific momentum for Stations Mont Tremblant” said Maquaire.
Breaking ground at Club Med Tremblant. (Photo Credit: Kathy Buckworth/TravelPulse Canada)
groundbreaking
Remy Bourgeon, President of Alderan (the investment management company), Patrice Malo, President and Chief Operating Officer at Station Mont-Tremblant, and the Mayor of Tremblant, Pascal de Bellefeuille, also gave their remarks in support of the project.
This resort is a critical part of Club Med’s growth strategy, which is targeting growth from 65 resorts today, to 85 in 2030, to eventually 100 resorts by 2035.
Mont Tremblant was chosen as the second North American site, building on what Club Med is calling their "third pillar" for mountain resorts, after Japan and the European Alps.
Tremblant was a natural choice given the exceptional success of Club Med Charlevoix, also in Quebec.
“When we opened (Charlevoix) in 2021 it was an amazing success,” said Carolyn Doyon, President and Chief Executive Officer of Club Med North America and the Caribbean, in a sit down interview with TravelPulse Canada. “Today, we have approximately 45,000 clients every year. And the occupancy rate is exactly what we have expected. It varies on summer and winter, of course,” she said.
Since the opening in 2021, Club Med Charlevoix has welcomed more than 170,000 guests.
Construction at Club Med Tremblant. (Photo Credit: Kathy Buckworth/TravelPulse Canada)
Why choose another location in Quebec?
“Tremblant is a must,” according to Doyon. “It's a wonderful destination, already international, close to Montreal, great air accessibility, four seasons. But what comforted us with all this was that Quebec Charlevoix was a success for Club Med. So thanks to Quebec Charlevoix, we were able to decide to come and open a second one in Quebec. So I'm very happy about that.”
55-60 percent of the guests are Charlevoix are Canadian, with Americans at 35 percent, followed by Brazilians.
The new Tremblant resort will be located on Versant Soleil, offering a ski-in/ski-out experience, and a short chair lift ride to the pedestrian village. There will be eight additional slopes offered, and a new beginner area added.
Lessons and lift tickets will be offered as part of the Club Med all-inclusive ski experience in the winter. During the other seasons, clients will have the opportunity to discover the Laurentians through outdoor activities immersed in nature.
This Club Med resort will also feature an Exclusive Collection space with upgraded amenities, priority access and private spaces.
A rendering of a Club Med Tremblant hotel room displayed at the groundbreaking. (Photo Credit: Kathy Buckworth/TravelPulse Canada)
Club Med Tremblant is expected to generate 300 direct new jobs on site, with an additional creation of 300 indirect jobs in the region. More than 61 percent of the property will be dedicated to green space.
Outside of Quebec, Club Med is extending their brand strategy and offering to Ontario and the rest of Canada, mostly through their travel advisors.
“Travel advisors are a part of our team. Travel advisors are, for me, an extension of our sales team and our best ambassador. So they've always been present, especially here in Canada, and they will stay,” said Doyon.
“We welcome travel partners that do not know us today to rediscover Club Med because sometimes travel partners who have been in the industry for some time, they have an idea about a product. Our brand has evolved so much that we invite them to rediscover who Club Med is,” she said.
Porter Airlines ran direct flights from Billy Bishop in Toronto to Mont Tremblant from December, 2022, to March, 2023. Club Med is keen to see this route start again in time for Winter 2028.
“We talk about developing the Ontario market and many successful businessmen told me, why are you waiting to put back that flight? So it's something obviously that we will consider with our partners,” said Doyon. “Connectivity is the key. I cannot promise anything, but I can promise you it’s something that we're going to work hard on it,” she said.
When asked about the possibility of a Club Med ski resort opening outside of Quebec, potentially in Western Canada, Doyon referred to their overall growth strategy.
“Too early, of course, to say anything, but we have an ambitious development pipeline and growth,” Doyon said. “The rock is beautiful on the west side of Canada and of course our goal in Club Med is to open a third hub for mountain resorts. Nobody in the all inclusive market does ski today. Our goal is to open a third, (which) will be North America — so not just Canada.”
Located only 90 minutes from Montreal, Tremblant is a world class four-season resort. It currently has 1,900 lodging units across 13 hotels, 70 restaurants and shops, plus a casino.
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