Innovating to revitalize downtown Montreal

When we enjoy a good meal in a local bistro, we often forget the social role that restaurateurs and gastronomic establishments play in a community.

While the health crisis has taken its toll on the restaurant industry, it has not yet said its last word. The arrival of fine weather heralds an increase in customer traffic and the appearance of terraces dotting the downtown skyline.

Revitalization and assistance programs

Since the beginning of May, confidence has been building in Montreal as the city announced a $4.5 million investment to form the new Fonds de la relance des bars et restaurants du centre-ville.

While restaurants and bars are an integral part of Montreal’s dynamic, cosmopolitan urban life, the stimulus program to be spearheaded by PME MTL will help revitalize the downtown core at a time when sanitary measures are being relaxed across the province.

With a summer that promises to be dominated by local tourism for Quebec vacationers, the Montreal metropolis is gearing up for a revival in economic activity, and will benefit from the notable influx of tourists eager to vibrate to the electrifying rhythm of downtown.

A festive tourism recovery on a human scale

The trend of tourists returning to the city center can be summed up in 3 elements:

1. (Re)discovering local shops

Of the $60 million allocated to the City of Montreal’s economic recovery plan, $12 million has been earmarked for the commercial sector. With these levers, merchants and major commercial arteries have the opportunity to redefine the attractiveness of their offer, to (re)-enchant visitors and encourage the local economy. A solution like Milo‘s, which facilitates the discovery of the best non-franchised addresses, and its high adoption rate, is a good example of this renewed enthusiasm among tourists for the “corner shop”.

2. Creating pedestrian and ephemeral experiences

Recently, all eyes were on the Partenariat du Quartier des spectacles as it announced a $9 million revitalization plan to expand several ephemeral pedestrian zones, create new terraces and install new equipment and furnishings for public events. As a result, we can expect to see the downtown area become an immense wandering route: a zone for relaxation, encounters and well-being. Our Alumni startup Ottomata produced the interactive work “Splinterto create a moment of communion despite the health measures in force. Just what tourists are looking for when they leave the confinement. The result of a partnership between the Quartier des spectacles, Montréal centre-ville and Tourisme Montréal, Les aventures du cœur de l’île includes 11 oases and pedestrian zones for relaxation and dining, stretching from the St. Lawrence River to Sherbrooke Street, and from Atwater Avenue to Papineau Avenue.

3. Intimate, unifying public events

Event promoters have redoubled their creativity to offer concepts that respect the maximum number of people for indoor and outdoor gatherings. For the tourist, it’s an opportunity to enjoy these experiences in a much more intimate setting – and who knows whether some of these concepts will endure beyond the pandemic. After all, the trend towards new and unusual micro-events already existed before the pandemic, so who knows if this trend may well have accelerated? For project promoters, this is an opportunity to offer solutions or micro-experiences that enrich this intimate, human-scale setting.

Innovation to drive recovery!

Following the announcement of multiple investments by the Ville de Montréal, innovative new concepts will be introduced this summer to bring several streets and spaces to life simultaneously, while spreading out visitor traffic across the territory.

Although our fight against COVID-19 is not over, the arrival of fine weather and the acceleration of vaccination mean that we can look forward to a stimulating summer and a vibrant downtown this year. The City of Montreal wants to give downtown the impetus it needs to effectively revitalize not only its economy, but also its cultural and gastronomic scenes,” stressed Mayor Valérie Plante in a press release on the subject.

With the economy gradually reopening, it’s no longer time for reflection, but rather for action! This economic recovery represents a great opportunity for innovators who want to outdo themselves.

With the summer season upon us, and urban tourism gradually picking up, a host of opportunities will be opening up for those looking to enhance the tourist experience in the metropolis.

Originally published on Tourisme Express on May 31, 2021