P.E.I. 2016 tourism season 'pacing well ahead'

P.E.I. is on track for another record tourism season, says Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. president Robert Jourdain.

"It is amazing to hear how many people are coming to the Island," Jourdain told CBC News.

"We're pacing well ahead."

Reservations look strong, said Jourdain, and some operators have told him they're already at 70 per cent occupancy.

A 3rd record year?

The tourism industry set a record for overnight stays in 2014 on the back of massive promotion celebrating the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference, the meeting that started the talks leading to Confederation.

It was then able to edge out that record in 2015.

• Tourism marks another record season in P.E.I.

Jourdain said the value of the American dollar remains favourable this year, and bookings suggest another very strong season.

The tourism industry is a big part of the P.E.I. economy, said Jourdain. It was worth $400 million last year and employs 7,000 people year-round.

Growth in the shoulder season

The industry is continuing to grow in the shoulder season. In 2015, it recorded the busiest September ever.

Jourdain said the industry is having success by targeting empty nesters, but he noted there is a challenge in that aging demographic as well.

"On one side in tourism we have that market we're going after, but when you look inside of tourism that's who's retiring," he said.

"That leaves another opening for the upcoming new industry folk. New managers, new supervisors that we have to get ready for that retirement rush that's coming."

The industry needs to convince younger people, who may be working part-time or seasonally in tourism now, that there is a viable career for them, he said.

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