P.E.I. tourism numbers looking good for summer 2014

P.E.I. Tourism Minister Rob Henderson says there has been a noticeable increase in accommodation reservations in the province through the end of April.

Henderson said April is a key month when it comes to tourism marketing because that's when people are finalizing their summer vacation plans.

He said it's exciting to see booking numbers are up at establishments across the Island.

The number of bookings to the province's online reservation system, BookPEI, has increased by 45 per cent compared to this time last year — that’s an increase of nearly 500 individual bookings.

The Hotel and Motel Association of P.E.I. said, so far, members are reporting a 15 to 20 per cent increase in reservations.

Officials with Tourism Cavendish Beach said, based on comments from members, it appears bookings and length of stay are both trending up from last year.