As part of its sustainable development strategy, Cruise the Saint Lawrence recently commissioned DFSA, a Québec-based firm specializing in customer experience management, to conduct a population-wide survey of 500 Québec residents. The goal: to better understand the level of social acceptability of international cruise tourism on the Saint Lawrence.
This initiative reflects our commitment to building a responsible tourism future, one that considers public perceptions of the economic, environmental, and cultural impacts of our sector.
Widely Recognized Economic Benefits
Survey results show that nearly 90% of respondents believe international cruises contribute positively to the revenues of local businesses, particularly in the restaurant, accommodation, and retail sectors. People aged 45 and over are especially enthusiastic, with 44% describing the economic impact as “very positive.”
Strong Cultural Recognition
More than 75% of respondents believe that international cruises help promote Québec’s culture on a global scale. This visibility is seen as an opportunity to showcase the region’s richness and Québec’s unique heritage to international visitors.
Environmental Concerns to Consider
The environment remains a key concern for the population. 49% of respondents say they are “very” or “somewhat concerned” about the ecological impact of cruise ships, particularly regarding water pollution and marine biodiversity. These concerns are especially pronounced among women and younger adults.
A Desire to Explore Beyond the Ports
Most citizens believe cruise passengers should explore cities and regions beyond the port areas during their stopovers. This would help stimulate local economies and foster more authentic cultural exchanges. This vision aligns with our commitment to promoting tourism that generates income for our communities while celebrating the richness of our culture.
An Open and Transparent Dialogue
Cruise the Saint Lawrence wishes to thank all the citizens who participated in this consultation. Their voices are essential in guiding our actions and strengthening the transparency of our practices. This project marks an important milestone in our sustainable development journey. It also represents the first phase of our efforts in social acceptability. Our ports of call are now preparing to launch local citizen surveys in each host community, allowing us to gather more localized data and deepen our dialogue with the population.
*A digital survey was conducted via the Qualtrics platform, targeting citizens across the province of Québec, in accordance with population distribution and representation:
- Residents of all 17 administrative regions of the province
- French and English speakers
(Panel provided by Léger360 / Data collection dates: July 14–21, 2025 / Sample size: n=500)