P.E.I. saw record-breaking tourism numbers in 2025 for 2nd-straight year, province says
CBC
Prince Edward Island set another tourism record in 2025, reaching highs in visitation, visitor spending and overnight stays.
P.E.I. saw a 10 per cent increase in visitors over 2024, welcoming 1.87 million tourists, according to a news release from the province. Visitor spending was also up 12.4 per cent over last year, well above the national average of 4.4 per cent.
Paid overnight stays at hotels and inns hit 1,126,108 — up seven per cent from the year before.
Luke Thompson, guest services manager at the Holman Grand Hotel in Charlottetown, said the 2025 tourism season started early and ran consistently through the summer with July and August hovering around 98 to 99 per cent occupancy.
"Obviously, Canadians were looking to stay close to home. We also saw lots of our friends from the south coming up. The dollar is obviously very good for Americans to come to Canada," he said.
"We saw the Japanese market return a lot last year, and I think we're going to see that continue again this year."
The provincial figures also noted other areas where 2025 improved over the year before:
Thompson said the numbers show P.E.I. is "a very in-demand destination."
"I think the word is out that if you want to come here during peak season, if you want to go to one of the amazing festivals or events, book now," he said, adding there are periods this year that have limited availability or are already booked solid.
Sarah Branje, co-owner of Points East Coastal Inn in St. Peters Bay, said her business was able to increase its units from three to five given last year's solid numbers. She already has bookings for this summer.
"It's very gratifying. We thought long and hard about doing the addition … and we're very gratified about our occupancy last year," she said. "We feel we made the right decision."
Branje said the inn was booked most of last August and September, but the shoulder months in May and October were also strong.
Aside from Canadians, she welcomed visitors from Australia, Belgium, Germany, the U.S. and the U.K.
"They love the natural beauty of the Island," she said. "They love the opportunity to see what's in the area, enjoy the amenities, enjoy all the federal and provincial parks we have on the Island."
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