Montreal tourism visits up in 2015

Montreal's tourism office says the city had an "exceptional" 2015, with 9.6 million visitors and $2.9 billion in tourist-related revenue.

In total, the number of tourists represented a 3.2 per cent increase over 2014.

The number of international tourists in 2015 increased by 7.2 per cent, withthe number of American tourists up by 9.5 per cent.

The number of arrivals at MontrealPierre-Elliott-Trudeau International Airport increased by 4.6 per cent, surpassing 15 million passengers for the first time.

Hotels in Montreal had an occupancy rate of 73 per cent, up 1.8 per cent over 2014.

Montreal also saw an increase in cruise ship traffic, with 29 more arrivals than 2014 and a 30 per cent increase in the number of passengers and crew transiting the arrivals terminal in Old Montreal.

"Excitement is building around Montreal, particularly as we approach 2017," said Yves Lalumire, president and chief executive officer of Tourism Montreal.

The citywill celebrate its 375th anniversary in 2017, which will also see events marking 150 years of Canada's Confederation and the 50th anniversary of Expo67.

Tourism Montreal is counting ona six per cent increase in 2016 and 2017, representingmore than 10 million visitors.