Montréal’s tourism sector is on track for a record year after hotel demand and occupancy increased through the first three months of the peak season, with Canadian, U.S. and international visitors contributing to the gains.
Hotel occupancy reached 82 per cent from May through July, seven percentage points higher than during the same period in 2025, according to a mid-season report released by Tourisme Montréal.
Hotel demand rose 12 per cent over the three-month period, while July demand increased 14 per cent from a year earlier. Average occupancy reached 86 per cent in July.
“This summer, Montréal is reaching new heights, and that speaks to the strength and diversity of our destination,” said Yves Lalumière, president and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. “What is especially encouraging is that this growth comes from several sources and extends across the full season. With August and September still looking very strong, Montréal is clearly on track for a record year.”
Canadian and U.S. markets drive growth
Travel from the United States increased seven per cent from May through July, while Canadian travel grew five per cent. International markets also expanded, rising nearly five per cent during the period.
Tourisme Montréal said travel-planning indicators are also showing increased interest in the city. Google searches related to Montréal accommodations rose 16 per cent in the U.S. Northeast and eight per cent in Ontario.
The organization said the gains are being supported by a combination of tourism and business travel, along with a calendar of cultural, sports and other major events.
Business events add to hotel demand
Business events were a significant part of the summer performance, with Montréal welcoming 70 groups representing more than 50,000 delegates in June and July.
Several major international conventions were among those events, including gatherings involving the International Society for Stem Cell Research, the Geochemical Society, the American Society of Retina Specialists and the IEEE Power and Energy Society.
July accounted for an estimated 35,000 delegates, compared with 19,300 in July 2025.
A total of 144 conventions are scheduled in Montréal between May and September. Tourisme Montréal said the attendance rate for conventions has been 92 per cent since the beginning of the year, while the organization also has a pipeline of events planned for future years.
Major cultural and sporting events continue
Tourisme Montréal said the city’s cultural, culinary, sports and festival calendar has helped attract visitors with different interests throughout the season.
Osheaga, ahead of its 20th edition, recorded its second-highest attendance in the event’s history. The Festival International de Jazz de Montréal reported its highest attendance ever across its free and indoor programming, while the closing night of Juste pour rire also reached a new attendance peak.
Several major events remain on the calendar, including LASSO, Festival M.A.D., the Beach Pro Tour, the Vans Warped Tour and the UCI Road World Championships.
Strong outlook for August and September
Tourisme Montréal’s projections point to continued growth for the remainder of the season. Hotel demand is forecast to increase four per cent, with occupancy expected to exceed 85 per cent.
September is expected to be particularly strong, with the UCI Road World Championships among the factors contributing to demand. Current projections indicate hotel occupancy could reach about 90 per cent during the competition.
The organization also expects the French market to contribute to tourism activity in the coming months. Air capacity between Paris and Montréal is up 17 per cent across all airlines.
Tourisme Montréal is a private non-profit organization that promotes Montréal as an international leisure and business tourism destination. The organization says it has more than 1,000 members working directly or indirectly in the tourism industry and has been promoting the city for more than 100 years.
It says its mandate includes developing visitor experiences while seeking to maximize tourism’s economic benefits in a way that considers the city’s long-term impacts.
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