The P.E.I. Department of Tourism announced Thursday the province hit its target for increased tourism revenue in 2014.

Early estimates from the Centre for Tourism Research at the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. are that 1,359,858 tourists will visit the Island in 2014, with direct spending of $401 million. The province says that makes 2014 a record year, with the number visitors up 3.8 per cent and spending up 5.1 per cent over 2013.

The province invested heavily in tourism in 2014 to mark the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, the 1864 conference that launched the talks leading to Confederation.

Tourism PEI was given an extra $3.4 million over two years to spend on marketing. The federal government helped out with $28 million that was spent on the celebration, with much of that money spent on events that would appeal to tourists.