Montreal tourism breaks previous record with numbers climbing exponentially

Montreal tourism has shattered its previous record, with the city expecting 12.5 million visitors in 2026, a significant jump from the 11 million visitors in 2019. Hotel reservations surged by 14% in July compared to the same month in 2025, with an occupancy rate reaching 86%. Tourisme Montréal reports that visitors hail from various parts of the globe, with Americans leading in numbers from May to July, experiencing a 7% increase from the previous year.

International travelers from other regions and Canada saw a 5% rise as well. Many visitors plan to soak in the city's offerings, as evidenced by Lorrie Smith's visit from Toronto, who expressed excitement about touring Montreal and visiting attractions like the science center. International guests have praised Montreal's welcoming atmosphere, with Francine Swierczynski from France highlighting the city's "warm" hospitality.

Business tourism is also on the rise, with 35,000 visitors arriving in July, a sharp increase from 19,300 in the same period last year. This surge in tourism benefits the hospitality sector and souvenir shops, which report strong sales. Tourisme Montréal anticipates these positive trends to continue into 2026, signaling a promising outlook for the city's visitor numbers.