Moncton is outperforming all other Atlantic Canadian cities when it comes to tourism.
That’s according to a report presented to City Council last night by the President of MacKellar Cunningham and Associates.
Rod Cunningham says with 2015 the best year for tourism for Moncton in two decades, an occupancy rate of 84% is almost unheard of.
“Usually that means that you’re booked solid four or five days a week, and your only openings are Saturday and Sunday,” says Cunningham. “That’s why it’s so hard to grow it, because you’re down to the luck of trying to get traffic coming through on Saturday or Sunday.”
He says proof Moncton is maintaining tourism growth is the room occupancy rate increases since 2013.
“It went up to 82%, and I figured you’d never get higher than that, then you went up to 83%, and last year up to 84%, and I’ve never seen anyone run at 84% in July and August,” says Cunningham.
He says compared to other cities in Atlantic Canada, Moncton is dominating the tourism market.
“Total city room sales haven’t changed, yet Moncton’s pulled out 17% of a share that should be divided amongst everybody else,” says Cunningham. “If you turn that into money Moncton’s made $22 million a year that should be divided amongst five cities, Moncton should have got $4 million.”
Cunningham says Moncton is the most creative city when it comes to tourism.
He says indicators lead him to expect 2016 will be another great year.
