Montreal likely to pass 10 million-visitor mark for 1st time by end of 2016
New direct flights, favourable exchange rate, better security among reasons for increase
Tourists have been flocking to Montreal at a record-breaking pace this year, an increase that is being propelled in large part by visitors from China.
According to numbers gathered by Tourisme Montréal between January and June of this year, the city has seen a 10 per cent increase in the number of visitors compared to the same period last year.
The tourism agency estimates the total number of visitors will exceed 10 million for the first time by the end of 2016.
Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal, said the influx has been felt all over the sector, from hotels to major attractions like La Ronde and Saint Joseph's Oratory.
More tourists from Europe and Asia
While American tourism increased by 13 per cent in July, a majority of the year-to-date increase comes from Europe and Asia.
In particular, visits were up from Germany (18 per cent), Spain (17 per cent) and France (21 per cent).
But the largest increase, by far, is from China. The number of Chinese tourists surged 205 per cent between January and July, compared with the year before.
Lalumière credited this dramatic increase to the creation, in September 2015, of a direct flight between Montreal and Beijing. A direct flight between Montreal and Shanghai was announced last month.
"It's amazing," he said, "This is a market that will continue to increase sharply over the next 10 years and we need to look to Japan and Korea as well."
Tour company says business is booming
Those who work in the tourism industry believe they have benefited from favourable exchange rates.
"I would say it's one of our best years in the past 30 years, for sure," said Louise Hébert, who runs Montreal Guidatour, a company that offers guided tours of the Old Port. "We saw an increase of 30 to 35 per cent."
Hébert said her increase is largely due to American tourists, who are attracted by the low exchange rate and the added safety of travelling within Canada.
"The Americans do not want to fly to Europe this year," she said. "They get a bit of the French flavour we offer."