Tourist Region: Îles-de-la-Madeleine

The Îles-de-la-Madeleine form an archipelago of 12 islands in the Gulf of St. Lawrence. Many of the islands are connected by dunes or bridges. The islands cover an area of 202 km^2[1] and are located around 200 km southeast of the Gaspésie coast. It's possible to get there by plane or ferry.

These islands are part of the tourist region of Îles-de-la-Madeleine.

The Îles-de-la-Madeleine region is a very popular tourist destination in Quebec. The islands welcomed 63 250 tourists^[2] in the summer of 2019. With impressive landscapes and 300 km of beach around the islands, the region attracts many people looking for beach tourism, ecotourism or adventure tourism^[3].

The Îles-de-la-Madeleine region is unique in that its beaches are relatively windy, allowing for a variety of activities such as windsurfing, flyboarding (kitesurfing) or sailing excursions. There's also sea kayaking, canoeing and scuba diving.

Several forest trails are ideal for hiking, horseback riding and cycling.

Tourism is the second most important economic activity in the region. As a result, several infrastructures have been built to welcome tourists all year round.

Several amenities had to be built so that tourists could easily access the islands. The ferry increased its transport capacity, since 80% of tourists prefer this mode of transportation^[3]. The port of Cap-aux-Meules has also been designed to accommodate cruise ships. The islands are also accessible by airplane, as there is an airport at Havre-aux-Maisons. A single road links the islands, Route 199, and tourists can get around by:

• car
• bus
• public transport
• bike

The archipelago offers several accommodation options. There are a few hotels, but B&Bs, inns, cottages and camping remain the most popular choices among tourists. Îles-de-la-Madeleine has several restaurants, highlighting seafood and local produce.

Infrastructure has been put in place to showcase the archipelago's landscapes and attractions, such as:

• walkways
• forest trails
• marked dune trails
• campsites
• equipment rental facilities (cycling, diving, aquatic activities)

Various tours are organized to showcase the activities available

The presence of large numbers of tourists on the Îles-de-la-Madeleine makes managing drinking water and waste more difficult.

The archipelago's fragile ecosystems are also affected since they deteriorate rapidly if they are over-visited. A number of measures have therefore been put in place to prevent, or at least slow down, this degradation, such as:

• a ban on driving off marked paths from spring to autumn
• a ban on the use of motorized vehicles on certain beaches during the same period

Another threat to the Îles-de-la-Madeleine is the erosion of the riverbanks (or shores). Year after year, a part of the territory is washed away by the sea. Infrastructures such as buildings and roads are at risk due to the fact that the land on which they are located is disappearing.

One of the causes of this erosion is the lack of protection of the coast during winter. In the past, the archipelago was surrounded by ice in winter, which protected the coasts. Today, there is hardly any ice left to fulfill this role. Another cause is rising sea levels. The higher the water level, the more extensive the erosion.

Certain protective measures are put in place to try and protect the coasts of the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. One such measure involves adding pebbles (or cobbles) to the beaches. Pebbles form a protective barrier, helping to preserve cliffs and shorelines. 
 

The Îles-de-la-Madeleine are facing a housing crisis. Low housing availability and high house prices mean that it can be very difficult for residents to find accommodation on the archipelago. Tourism makes this situation worse, since many accommodations are reserved for tourists. This also adds to the problem of the shortage of workers. In fact, although some people would like to come and work in the region, they have too much difficulty finding affordable housing.

The apartment shortage

The number of apartments is very limited in the Îles-de-la-Madeleine. 85% of the real estate market is made up of single-family homes^[12]. In addition, several units are used during the tourist season to house tourists. As a result, residents sometimes have to leave their apartments for several months during the summer.

This is known as "hidden homelessness". The inhabitants often find themselves having to camp outside or live in their car or a trailer during the summer. This can be particularly difficult for families. People often feel obliged to accept these conditions, as there is very little housing available.

Rising house prices

The Îles-de-la-Madeleine have been experiencing a rise in house and land prices in recent years. The construction of cottages dedicated to tourists and the purchase of second homes by people from outside the islands are causing house values to rise. Over time, residents may be forced to leave the archipelago since they won't be able to find a place to stay.

In 2021, 82 new homes were built on the archipelago, and nearly 500 new homes could be built by 2031^[13].  However, this creates a problem of space. Indeed, on an archipelago of some 200 km², space is limited, and these new constructions must be carried out in a sustainable manner, by protecting the many landscapes, fragile ecosystems as well as agricultural land.

A number of solutions have been put in place to address these issues:

• Between 2020 and 2022, the municipality invested over $1 million to create morehousing^[12].
• The Îles-de-la-Madeleine also banned the conversion of second homes into tourist accommodations (such as Airbnb).
• In 2022, a construction freeze on homes as well as forest and agricultural areas was put in place in order to find a way to ensure the sustainable development of the island.

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