The Islands of Guadeloupe go on the offensive on the Canadian market

In 2025, the Guadeloupe Islands Tourism Committee will work hard to encourage Quebecers and Canadians from the ROC to stay in this archipelago.

We suspected it a little when we saw the size of their kiosk, during the last SITV (100 m² surface area, 13 partners), but the Islands of Guadeloupe really want to strengthen their notoriety among Quebecers – and also Canadians, across the country.

“For the year 2025, Canada is our first target market and the one for which we have the most promotional budget,” said unequivocally Déborah Coffre, project manager in Canada at the Tourism Committee of the Islands of Guadeloupe (CTIG) , during a gastronomic event held last night at the Kwizinn restaurant in Montreal.

“You will have understood that in Guadeloupe, we love to eat well! », added Déborah Coffre, while the trays loaded with (delicious) lobster gratin, charcoal-grilled chicken, red snapper fillet with dog sauce and other Creole-style beef cheek fricassees were placed on the tables.

Nearly 35 guests (travel consultants, industry people and media representatives) were in attendance.

Enjoy, but not only

Even if good food is a powerful incentive to head for Guadeloupe, Karukera (“the island of beautiful waters”, its nickname) cannot be limited to it: nature and culture are two other pillars on which rests the power of attraction of these French-speaking islands, which are an integral part of France as an overseas department.

But there is more: the highlighting of traditions well anchored in Guadeloupean daily life (such as the “sung nwèl”, Christmas carols), the lively carnival (the 4^e most beautiful in the world, assures the magazine Voyageurs du Monde), the music festivals, the urban culture of Pointe-à-Pitre (you have to see its amazing wall frescoes) or the excellence of the rums, which are among the best in the world .

In addition, efforts particularly targeting fans of unusual accommodation and cycle tourists will be deployed over the coming months, to highlight the quality of road infrastructure (after all, we are here in France) and the splendor of the decor. natural Guadeloupean.

Slow tourism and boating

The destination also prides itself on being a marvel for fans of slow tourism (slow tourism) and nautical activities, with its 400 km of beaches, its clear waters at 27° all year round and its remarkable seabed.

“The lands of Guadeloupe also offer the spectacle of breathtaking nature, crossed by tropical forests, rivers and waterfalls,” indicates the CTIG. Among other gems, the Baie des Saintes, listed in the Club of the Most Beautiful Bays in the World, and the summit of Soufrière, the highest peak in the Lesser Antilles, offer breathtaking panoramas.

Finally, from November to April, you can watch whales off the coast of the archipelago. “These are Quebec whales, the same ones that we see in the Gulf of St. Lawrence during the summer! », assures Déborah Coffre. If Guadeloupe is gentle and good for the whales, it is surely also good for us.

Growing popularity

The CTIG promotional offensive is part of an increase in popularity of the destination among Canadian travelers (mainly Quebecers): between 2019 and 2023, their attendance increased by 67%.

“In fact, Canada is now the third most important market for Guadeloupe, after France and Martinique,” ​​explains Déborah Coffre. In order to strengthen the notoriety of the Guadeloupean archipelago on the Canadian market, the CTIG has initiated a series of promotional actions aimed at stimulating reservations.

It must be said that the Guadeloupe Islands are well served with us: in high season, no less than 10 flights per week are offered, whether with Air Canada (all year round) or Air Transat (until 29 May) and Air France (from December 7 to March 30).

Current campaign

To mark the occasion, an advertising campaign entitled “There are so many islands in them” was recently launched in Quebec television media, and other similar operations are planned.

In total, 478 advertising spots have been or will be strategically placed around cooking shows, decorations, gardening, travel, morning shows or television news on the TVA, LCN, CASA, Évasion and Zeste channels.

This campaign will reach nearly 5 million Quebec viewers, aged between 25 and 54. So many potential customers who risk coming to knock on the doors of travel agencies, in short.

Millions of Quebecers targeted

Since August, the CTIG has also been deploying its digital communications campaign which will continue until December 23 to reach two million travelers who are keen on culture and nature, and who live around Montreal, Quebec and Toronto.

This operation aims to increase awareness of the destination but also to “direct the user towards online purchasing, by being present at all phases of their decision-making process, and more particularly at the time of travel planning. »

At the same time, Air Canada Vacations and the Islands of Guadeloupe are renewing their collaboration and promoting stays in Guadeloupe to the 850,000 travel agents and customers of this tour operator, already very present on the market.

Finally, an eductour will take place before the end of the year, to encourage advisors to sell the destination well to their clients.

New things to discover

Made up of Basse-Terre, Grande-Terre, Marie-Galante, La Désirade, Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas (Les Saintes), the Islands of Guadeloupe complement each other harmoniously and invite a multitude of experiences combining beaches of fine sand, crystal clear waters, lush tropical forests and artistic and cultural immersions. And for the next season, they present several new features.

Accommodation

• The Villa Cayouli – The Desert (THE DESIRE)

Located on the heights of La Désirade, in the immediate vicinity of the Desert Botanical Garden, Villa Cayouli offers three master suites, quality personalized services and a private concierge available to visitors.

• The Villas Mandju – Sainte-Rose (BASSE-TERRE)

In the north of Basse-Terre, three new villas have seen the light of day: Villa Papaya, Villa Passion and Villa Guava can accommodate up to six travelers.

• Les Voiles Bleues – Saint-François (GRANDE-TERRE)

Located a few minutes' walk from the Saint-François marina, these villas overlook both the lagoon and the Saint-François international golf course. Offering between 2 to 12 rooms, they promise an unforgettable stay at Les Voiles Bleues.

• Domaine Bonheur Indigo – Le Moule (GRANDE-TERRE)

Exceptional accommodation, including an apartment in Sainte-Anne and three charming villas in Le Moule. Among the latter, two are classified 4 stars and include a spacious 4-bedroom residence. Capable of accommodating 2 to 16 people, they offer direct access to the seaside in 5 minutes on foot through a magnificent garden.

• Villa Calypso – Saint-Louis (MARIE-GALANTE)

Discreet in its setting of seaside grape trees, this villa in two parts on the edge of the cliff, with Creole style architecture, has a terrace to accommodate large tables. The four bedrooms ensure peaceful nights.

• Les Hauts de la Baie – Terre-de-Bas (LES SAINTES)

Housed in a breathtaking setting in Terre-de-Bas, this accommodation consists of 4 comfortable cottages, located a few steps from a white sand beach and hiking trails, offering views of Terre-de-Haut, the third most beautiful bay in the world.

Getaways and adventures

Several eco-responsible activities, new or essential, can also be practiced in the Islands of Guadeloupe. Here are some examples.

• In Saint-Louis (Marie-Galante), a trip with Escape in West Indies (EWI) allows you to meet sea turtles, but also to glide on the water admiring the corals and fish, in a kayak or paddle board transparent.
• Departing from Morne-À-L'eau, Nautic Blue Caraibes offers 100% carbon-free and non-noisy kart rides (a type of electric watercraft), in protected wetlands and suitable for children aged 10 and over, but also for people with reduced mobility. Departing from Sainte-Rose, Sun Rose Nautique offers electric surfing trips.
• After several months of renovation, the Thermo-ludic Space of Ravine Chaude – Lamentin (Basse-Terre) reopened in October 2024 with an enriched offer of new activities dedicated to swimmers, dynamic aquagym, aquabike, aquapalming and aquaboxing. After exercise, relax in a pool of hot springs at 33 degrees, known to help heal rheumatism, sciatica and severe physical fatigue.

Art at the heart of travel

• The local incoming agency Guadeloupe Explor organizes visits to artists' studios such as that of Martine Cotten, painter, or Alex Boucaud, sculptor who uses the chainsaw to rough up and sculpt pieces of wood. The excursion includes a visit to one of the archipelago's many art galleries, Kreol West Indies, in Saint-François.
• On the accommodation side, the boutique hotel Maison Victoire, in Pointe-à-Pitre, is collaborating with two young Guadeloupean artists, Mlle Belamour and Llau, to transform an urban art fresco facade. Called “Declaration of Love”, this project promises to transform the urban landscape and offer visitors a visual immersion in the heart of the cultural excitement of Pointe-à-Pitre.

Stimulated inter-island mobility

• Since 2021, the shipping company Karu'Ferry has offered a reliable and environmentally friendly transport solution, with boats equipped with solar panels. In addition to the service to Terre-de-Haut and Terre-de-Bas from the port of Trois-Rivières, Karu'Ferry will begin a maritime service between Pointe-à-Pitre and Saint-Louis de Marie-Galante, from the start of the year 2025.
• Transport Cars with Drivers (VTC) are now accessible in the Islands of Guadeloupe. By booking in advance directly on the SIXT ride application, developed by the SIXT rental agency, travelers benefit from a driver and a luxury vehicle for their transfers.