The Saguenay experience | Dany Gravel answers our questions

This month, we discuss the Saguenay Port’s infrastructure with Dany Gravel, Head of Operations for Promotion Saguenay. Dany was kind enough to answer a few of our questions so cruise operators and their passengers can know what to expect when docking in beautiful Saguenay.

What’s the maximum capacity of the Saguenay port?

“We don’t know, because we haven't reached it yet! Our facilities are geared towards international cruises and our arrival pavilion was designed to welcome international ships efficiently. We can cater for all kinds of requests, from helicopter or seaplane tours to car and electric bike rental. With so many services on site, we can really target our offering to the needs of our visitors.”

What is it like for passengers arriving in Saguenay?

“Whenever a ship docks here, there’s a huge party! We’ve actually won the prize for ‘Best Port Welcome in the world’ four years in a row now. Visitors will be welcomed with music, animation, local products tasting, and even young dancers from the nearby schools. We like to keep things fresh, so the type of activity varies from one season to the next. This is also a chance for guests to mingle with the local residents, most of whom are very excited to meet tourists from all over the globe. They even stick the arrivals schedule to their fridge to make sure they don’t miss a chance to come out and hone their English skills!”

What sustainable tourism initiatives did you put in place?

“We want to make sure the local community benefits from tourism as much as possible, and that’s the core of our strategy. The pier was completely revamped recently, which is a source of pride for the residents. The only merchandise sold here is from local artists and artisans, and we promote our local attractions to visitors. We also make sure everyone is invited to our events so that they can feel part of the experience!”