Montreal could break tourism records by end of summer

Montreal is on track to hit its highest number of visitors ever this summer, thanks to a thicket of festivals as well as the city's 375th anniversarycelebrations and Canada's 150th birthday bash.

If the trend so far this summer continues, the city could see11 million visitors, according to Tourism Montreal vice president Pierre Bellerose.

Bellerosesays a number of new initiatives helped boost Montreal's profile, from new attractions to festival buzz.

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It's also easier to get to Montreal, and that helps, Bellrose said.

"We have new flights, direct flights, from China for example," he said, so there are greater numbers of Chinese tourists in Montreal.

The city's 375th anniversary celebrations have helped, too, Bellerosesaid. The question now iswill it continue next year.

"Often after an anniversary, it's difficult to keep the trend," he said.

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Just for Laughs Festival founder Gilbert Rozon saidthe festival sold out 42 shows.

"I will remember this year, because something happened, something happened," he said.

With extra tourism comes more economic spinoffs.Tourism Montreal says last year visitors spent $3 billion, and the group expects that amount to increasethis year by up to six per cent.

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