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P.E.I. tourism numbers continue to rise

The province’s tourism department released some early early number for July this week. According to the department, more people are staying on the Island overnight, and booking their holidays further in advance.

'It's not hard to tell P.E.I. is busy right now'

Jessica Doria-Brown · CBC News ·
Traffic is up on the Confederation Bridge this summer. (Gail Harding/CBC)

The increase in tourism this summer has been "great" for P.E.I., says the minister Economic Development and Tourism.

Tourism numbers for the month of July show more people are staying on the Island overnight, and booking their holidays further in advance.

"It's great for our industry, and P.E.I. as a whole, and the economy," said Heath MacDonald. "It's not hard to tell P.E.I. is busy right now, all kinds of traffic on the highways and roads, and business, everyone seems to be reporting an increase over last year, which was a good year as well."

30% increase in visitors from Quebec 

MacDonald says the Island has seen an increase in visitors from Quebec, the United Kingdom, the United States and China.

P.E.I. Tourism Minister Heath MacDonald says Island tourism operators and businesses reporting an increase over last year. (CBC)

"Quebec is up 30% from last year," MacDonald said.

Another encouraging trend, he said, is that tourism and accommodations operators report visitors are booking their holidays several months in advance.

"We went through other years where booking far in advance was not significant, but it seems to be more significant this year."

MacDonald said from tip to tip, the Island's tourism industry is seeing success and growth:

  • Traffic on the Confederation Bridge up by 12.5%
  • Charlottetown airport reported an increase of 6.8% in airline traffic
  • According to PEI Parks, strong growth in site-nights sold, up 8.8% in the Western region, and almost 10% in Eastern PEI
  • Many accommodation operators reporting an 8% increase in overnight stays

Ferry service still a priority

The latest numbers are particularly encouraging as the Northumberland Ferry service has been operating with just one boat this summer, MacDonald said.

MV Confederation tied up at the dock.
Tourism is still up on P.E.I., even though Northumberland Ferries has been operating only one ferry between Wood Islands and Pictou this summer. (Julia Cook/CBC) (Julia Cook/CBC)

"Transport Canada, we want them to come to the table, make some decisions, and put a succession plan for these aging ferries," he said. " they are very important to us," he says. "Our position is not going to change on the ferries, no matter what the tourism numbers are, we're still going to push for a conclusion to that issue."

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