Boost in tourism
Explore Summerside reviews 2017 and looks to new season at annual meeting
Many visitors are choosing to explore Summerside, according to figures that reveal a boost in tourism in 2017. The good news was presented at Explore Summerside Ltd.’s annual meeting at P.E.I. Ocean View Resort and Golf Club on Tuesday when members discussed last year’s tourism season as well as new developments opening in Summerside.
The organization’s president, JP Desrosiers, described 2017 as a great year for tourism in Summerside and the Island in general.
“Tourism is alive and well, in my opinion. Summerside had a full five per cent increase in overnight stays.”
Noting examples of successful events that attracted many visitors, Explore Summerside’s executive director Mitch Shea said last year’s 7th Beef N’ Blues festival was sold out with 454 people attending the Fall Flavours event at Credit Union Place.
“We also did the Experience Specialist Program and it continues to show its success. We partner with North Cape Coastal Tourism and saw 77 people graduate from the program last year.” Explore Summerside also introduced a new downtown outdoor concert series in 2017 with Downtown Summerside, Mentor Creative and the city, called Play the Park. It exceeded expectations with over 1,000 attending the nine-part series, Shea said.
The Visitor Information Centre saw roughly 3,700 visitors through the doors.
“A lot of them were repeat visitors who extended their stay.”
With new businesses opening up, the organization is optimistic this will lead to another boost in tourism for 2018. Summerside will soon have a new brewery – Evermore Brewery – owned and operated by Alex Clarkin the former Summerside Rotary Library. The brewery will have Summerside’s first official beer, called Summerside Light, and Clark is hoping to have the beverage to offer customers by June.
The College of Piping is opening a new Celtic Performing Arts Centre, a multi-purpose venue for the college and other performances. “Great Scot,” a show to highlight noted Scots of the past, is set to play at the official grand opening on July 11.
Locals and visitors will also get a chance to enjoy some unique menu items from Uncle Mike’s on the Water, a new restaurant opening on May long weekend, owned by Michael Perry. The food will include authentic Montreal-smoked-meat sandwiches, foot-long hotdogs and funnel cake.
The nearby Indian River Festival will feature performances by Lennie Gallant, Amanda Jackson, Michael Kaeshammer, the Hillsburn band, and many others. Tickets are on sale now and the concerts run until midSeptember.