Montreal tourism spending up 10% in 2017

Despite some poor weather at the start of the summer season, tourism and tourist spending are up in Montreal for its 375th anniversary year, Tourism Montreal says.

According to industry projections, tourism spending in the city will reach $3.6 billion this year — almost a 10 per cent increase over last year — and boost tax revenues to $1.45 billion.

Tourism Montreal president Yves Lalumière said the city's anniversary celebrations have done great things for his industry.

• By the numbers: How Montreal's 375th and Canada's 150th anniversaries stack up

"Montreal's 375th anniversary has boosted the city's international reputation and will act as a springboard for years to come," Lalumière said.

He did note, however, that only about one-third of visitors are aware of the anniversary.   

He credits the favourable exchange rate as helping to draw more American visitors, as well as his organization's marketing efforts in countries such as China and Mexico. 

• Montreal expecting 11.2 million tourists in 2017

Those efforts paid off with a 32 per cent increase in tourists from China and a 119 per cent increase in tourists from Mexico. Overall, the increase in foreign tourists amounted to six per cent.

Passenger traffic was also up 11 per cent at Montreal's Pierre Trudeau International Airport in June and July.

Formula E impact unclear

While Lalumière says the number of foreign tourists attending the Formula One event was up 15 per cent, he said Tourism Montreal didn't have any attendance figures for the new Formula E electric car race.

"It's a good event," he said. "We have to give it time. For us, it's a plus."

• 'Mission accomplished': Denis Coderre says race was success, despite complaints