'It's been overwhelming': Camping and staycations boost Island tourism

With total overnight stays up 5.3 per cent in July, P.E.I. is on track to set a record for tourism for the fourth year in a row.

For the year to date total overnight stays were up 4.7 per cent to the end of July.

Islanders vacationing in the province have been a big part of the growth in 2017. Staycationing is up 9.3 per cent for the year to date.

It's this number Heath MacDonald, the minister for economic development and tourism, found most interesting. He said government has been encouraging Islanders to explore their own backyard a little more.

"Hopefully, if they live city centre or wherever, they get to tour around Prince Edward Island into other areas and see what we have to offer," he said.

The Nova Scotia, Quebec and U.S. markets also showed above average growth, but visitation from Canadian provinces west of Quebec was down.

Invasion of the campers

A majority of the growth in overnight stays this year, including all the growth in July, is in camping.

While stays in hotels and other fixed-roof accommodation in July were virtually the same as last July, camp site sales were up 12.2 per cent.

Donna Sentner, the manager of the KOA Campground in Cornwall, said business has been up 10 per cent from an already strong 2016.

"It's been overwhelming. It's been awesome," she said. 

"We've been full for all of July and August and shoulder seasons are looking great, too."

Sentner said there have been a lot of Islanders camping, but she's also had guests from as far away as Hawaii and Europe.

Hoping it continues

Sentner attributes much of the bump this year to Canada 150 celebrations and a strong U.S. dollar. 

And while there will be no Canada 150 next year, all indications point to another busy season.

"We're hoping it's going to continue … [People] are calling already looking for bookings for 2018," Sentner said.

While stays in hotels may not have seen as big of a jump as campgrounds, some people still had trouble finding a room.

Golf P.E.I. books hotels for golf excursions. Often these groups want four or five rooms, but that hasn't always been easy to find, executive director Mark McLane said.

"We have lots of periods during the season where we're struggling to find hotel rooms."

Golf numbers good

McLane was also happy with the overall golf numbers this year, even though a cold May caused some courses to open later than usual.

The dropping of fees at P.E.I. National Park is likely helping to boost tourism, with visitation up 38.4 per cent for the year.

The ways people arrive on the Island were also up, with the notable exception of motor coach travel, which was down 34.3 per cent.

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