Key Insights

City News Everywhere reports a 4.8% rise in tourists in Montreal from May to July, with record-breaking attendance at Osheaga (147,000) and the National Bank Open (68,554). According to News Wire, there’s a 7.8% rise in US tourists, a 3.3% increase from France, and a 5.6% growth in Quebec travelers in Montreal. News Wire predicts a 2.2% rise in hotel demand and a 17% jump in international arrival for summer 2024. Additionally, City News Everywhere reports a growing winter tourism trend, with a projected 9.2% increase in visitors from 2024 to 2025.  According to News Wire, there’s a projected $17 million boost from cruise travelers in 2024, while nightlife generated $2.25 billion in 2019. The Government of Quebec reports $425 million in economic benefits from 2023 business events, with 2024 set to bring $172 million from confirmed overnight stays.

Montreal has long been one of Canada’s top destinations, attracting millions of tourists every year.

As tourism in the city continues to evolve, understanding the factors driving this growth is crucial for businesses, policymakers, and travelers alike.

Montreal’s tourism has experienced noticeable growth in 2024. According to City News Everywhere, the city saw a 4.8% increase in the number of tourists between May and July compared to the same period last year.

Large-scale events contributed significantly to the surge. From the same report, the Osheaga festival set a new record of 147,00 festival goers in 2024.

On the other hand, the National Bank Open saw a record-breaking 68,554 tennis fans during the IGA Family weekend.

Additionally, Montreal-Trudeau International Airport has seen a surge. From May to July 2024, it saw 6.3 million passengers, a 6.1% increase from 2023.

Interest in Montreal Tourism doesn’t show signs of stopping anytime soon. In fact, Tourisme Montreal recorded a 31% increase in website clicks and visits, indicating heightened interest in the city. 

Visitor Demographics in Montreal

Tourists in Montreal come from various parts of the world, but certain demographics make up the majority of the numbers.

According to News Wire, American tourists make up a significant number, with a 7.8% increase in visitors from the United States.

The number of French tourists also increased in 2024. It surged to 3.3% since May compared to last year, highlighting how Montreal continues to be an attractive option for European travelers.

At the same time, interest from travelers within Quebec itself grew by 5.6%. Data suggests that locals also see Montreal as a top destination for travel and tourism.

Canadians continue to lead the way in terms of spending, accounting for nearly 39% of all tourist expenditures. Americans are close behind, contributing 37% of total spending in tourism-related activities.

Seasonal Trends in Tourism in Montreal 

Tourism in Montreal usually peaks during the summer and winter seasons. This is thanks to the abundance of activities and festivals during the period.

Summer Tourism Trends in Montreal

According to a 2024 summer tourism forecast by News Wire, Montreal has a strong position when it comes to travel.

The report states that hotel demand is expected to rise by 2.2% from June to September. 

In line with this, occupancy rates are predicted to reach an average 80% increase, with peaks during major events such as the Grand Prix and the International Jazz Festival. 

Following these surges, air travel to Montreal has seen significant growth, with a projected 17% increase in international arrivals compared to 2023.

The forecast expects 63,000 American travelers and 35,000 French travelers to arrive each week. 

At the same time, the cruise industry is experiencing a boom, with 20 ships docking at the Port of Montreal during the summer. Half of these vessels are said to carry 65,00 passengers and crew members.

Winter Tourism Trends in Montreal 

According to City News Everywhere, one notable trend is the growing interest in Montreal’s winter tourism in 2025. 

Tourisme Montreal, as published in the City News Everywhere article, anticipates a 9.2% increase in winter visitors between December 15, 2024, and March 15, 2025. For reference, the previous increase for the same period is at 5.6%

This shift suggests that Montreal is becoming a year-round destination for travelers, not just a summer destination. 

As the tourism sector continues to expand, the city’s economy and culture will continue to benefit from this sustained growth. 

Economic Impact of Tourism in Montreal

As mentioned previously, the cruise industry in the city is booming. In fact, News Wire reports that the influx of high-spending travelers will create a $17 million economic impact in 2024.

Another contributor to the local economy is the city’s nightlife sector.

According to an economic report on the city’s sociocultural nightlife, the sector generated $2.25 billion in direct expenditures alone in 2019. Restaurants accounted for the largest share of this spending at $1.3 billion.

This is followed by bars at $550 million. Theatre and concert halls also have a massive contribution at over $100 million in direct spending. 

As the years progress, the city’s tourism industry continues to be a powerful economic driver, with 2023 marking another successful year.

According to the Government of Quebec, the Palais des congrès de Montréal hosted a total of 475 business events, which welcomed over 870,000 visitors in 2023.

These events generated approximately $425 million in economic benefits for both Montreal and Quebec. 

Looking ahead, the Government of Quebec says that 2024 promises continued success. In fact, there are already 210,000 confirmed overnight stays, expected to generate $172 million in economic benefits. 

Tourism and Infrastructure and Accessibility in Montreal 

Montreal’s approach to tourism infrastructure and accessibility prioritizes sustainable development.

According to Tourisme Montreal, the city’s policies promote economic, social, cultural, and environmental sustainability. 

A key aspect of these strategies for tourism is the Sustainable Destination Strategy, which aims to establish Montreal as a model of responsible tourism by 2030.

This plan seeks to balance economic benefits with environmental and social considerations, ensuring that tourism growth enhances rather than disrupts local life. 

Initiatives include organizing environmentally friendly events, encouraging sustainable business practices, and fostering collaboration between tourism and local communities. 

References 

• City News Everywhere. Montreal still a hot tourist destination: report (2024). https://montreal.citynews.ca/2024/08/13/montreal-hot-tourist-destination-report/ 
• City News Everywhere. ‘Visitors are delighted’: Montreal sees increase in tourism (2025). https://montreal.citynews.ca/2025/01/23/montreal-tourism-increase-report/ 
• Government of Quebec. 2023: a year of success for business tourism in Montréal (2024). https://www.quebec.ca/en/news/actualites/detail/2023-a-year-of-success-for-business-tourism-in-montreal-53169 
• News Wire. Mid-summer Report: Montréal Attractive and Appealing as Ever (2024) https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/mid-summer-report-montreal-attractive-and-appealing-as-ever-891898370.html
• News Wire. Tourism forecasts and 2024 summer launch – New Events and Lots of Visitors in Montréal This Summer (2024). https://www.newswire.ca/news-releases/tourism-forecasts-and-2024-summer-launch-new-events-and-lots-of-visitors-in-montreal-this-summer-834858431.html 
• Road Genius. Montreal Tourism Statistics (20204). https://roadgenius.com/statistics/tourism/canada/montreal/#How_much_do_tourists_spend_in_Montreal_every_yea 
• Tourisme Montreal. Sustainable Tourism (n.d.) https://toolkit.mtl.org/en/sustainable-tourism