Another positive tourism season
Numbers released today by Tourism PEI for September show that 2019 will likely be the sixth straight record season for tourism visitation to the province.
“Thank you to Tourism PEI and all operators for their continued hard work on another successful season,” David Groom, Chair of the Tourism PEI Board of Directors said. “The board looks forward to continue working with the Province to grow the tourism sector in Prince Edward Island.”
Preliminary estimates prepared by Tourism PEI project 1.6 million visitors to the province in 2019 with direct expenditures at about $505 million – making it the first time PEI has reached $500 million in total tourism expenditures. The province is also on pace for a new record number of overnight stays and is likely to exceed the one million overnight stays mark for the third year in a row.
“Thank you to all the hard working people in tourism for everything you do for Prince Edward Island. We know this continued success could not be achieved without the quality service and world-class hospitality shown by the proud and determined people across our province.”
- Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture Minister Matthew MacKay
Statistics of note include (all year-to-date September)
- 1.6 per cent increase in traffic on the Confederation Bridge
- 3.3 per cent increase in passenger traffic at the Charlottetown Airport
- 3.3 per cent decrease in traffic at the Northumberland Ferries
- 23.8 per cent increase in cruise passengers and crew
- 1.6 per cent increase in overnight stays
- 2.6 per cent increase in non-member golf rounds
Tourism is vital for the economic health of our province. The industry employs over 8,500 full-time equivalent workers and contributes more than $486 million to the provincial economy.
Media contact:
Hillary MacDonald
Department of Economic Growth, Tourism and Culture
902-388-5400
hpsmacdonald@gov.pe.ca