1. Attendance: Reaching New Summits

In 2025, Montreal welcomed over 12 million visitors, a marked increase over previous years.

The massive return of international tourists (led by the United States, France, and the United Kingdom) resulted in an average hotel occupancy rate of 72%, peaking at 90% during the festival season.

2. Economic Impacts and Budgets

The capital injection has been massive. Tourism spending in 2025 is estimated at $5.2 billion.

• Public Investment: The City and various levels of government allocated budgets exceeding $150 million to modernize reception infrastructure and pedestrianize major arteries (such as Sainte-Catherine Street and Mont-Royal Avenue).

• Tax Benefits: This revenue directly supports municipal coffers, funding urban revitalization projects that ultimately benefit permanent residents.

3. Urban and Real Estate Development

This vitality is transforming the real estate landscape.

We are seeing an acceleration of hotel-condo projects and certified tourist residences in peri-central areas.

However, this tourism pressure forces a reflection on the balance between resort zones and affordable residential areas.

The development of the Quartier des Lumières and Griffintown continues to adapt to meet this dual demand: housing Montrealers while attracting visitors.

4. Social Impact: A City for Everyone?

The success of 2025 brings its share of social challenges.

While the commercial vitality of neighborhoods like the Plateau or Old Montreal is undeniable, the impact on the cost of living and housing remains a major concern.

• Coexistence: The management of short-term rental platforms remains at the heart of municipal debates.

• Employment: The tourism sector now supports more than 50,000 direct jobs in the metropolis, contributing to the socio-economic vitality of many Montreal families.

The 2025 results confirm that Montreal is an economic locomotive for Quebec.

The challenge for 2026 will be to transform this tourism windfall into a lever for sustainable development and new opportunities, ensuring the Montreal "vibe" benefits those who live here as much as those who visit.

The Drivers of Montreal's Attractiveness

1. Top Attractions and Events: Attendance and Impact

Montreal’s success is based on a mix of high-level business tourism and mass entertainment.

Leading Events

1. Formula 1 Grand Prix | +300,000 visitors | The biggest tourism weekend of the year. |

2. Jazz Fest / Les Francos | 1.5 to 2 million (cumul.) | Main driver of the Quartier des Spectacles' vitality. |

3. Palais des congrès | 940,000 participants | 92% of business traffic; $438M in economic benefits. |

4. Osheaga | 120,000 to 150,000 | Attracts mostly non-montrealers. |

5. Igloofest 2026 | Historic Record | Confirms Montreal as a "four-season" destination. |

Must-See Locations

• Espace pour la vie: The complex (Biodome, Planetarium, etc.) remains the leader among museum institutions with continuous growth.

• Pointe-à-Callière: Nearly 600,000 visitors in 2025, confirming interest in Old Montreal’s historical heritage.

• Old Port of Montreal: The busiest zone, boosted by attractions like the Ferris Wheel and urban zipline.

2. 2026 Trends: Toward "Co-creation" Tourism

"Bleisure" and Digital Nomads: Business travelers are extending their stays for pleasure.

This stimulates demand for "apart-hotels" and high-end rental condos equipped for remote work.

The Cycling Shift: With the 2026 UCI Road World Championships, the city is investing heavily in cycling infrastructure, increasing the value of properties near the REV (Express Bike Network).

Seasonality: Winter festivals (Montréal en Lumière, Igloofest) are stabilizing hotel occupancy year-round.

Who are the 12 million faces of Montreal?

1. Canadian Market (8.8M visitors): The backbone. From local day-trippers to a 17% increase in visitors from the Atlantic provinces.

2. International Market: France set a record (470,000 visitors), while the USA remains the highest spender per capita despite a 5% dip.

Business vs. Leisure: The Clash of Habits

Business tourism represents only 940,000 participants but generates 63% of the total economic value of meetings.

These visitors book 6–18 months in advance and prefer 4-5 star hotels.

Leisure tourists (11M) are "last minute" (50-day average) and use diverse housing (Airbnb, friends).

Opportunities We Are Not Fully Seizing

1. Knowledge Tourism: We must better convert our 940,000 business delegates into long-term investors or part-time residents.

2. Hybrid Real Estate (Workations): There is a lack of developments integrating high-end co-working spaces for 2–4 week stays.

3. Shoulder Seasons: November and April remain under-exploited.

The city should use its culinary and cycling strengths to fill these gaps.

4. Neighborhood Tourism: Moving beyond the city center to neighborhoods like Verdun or Hochelaga distributes wealth and reduces "tourist fatigue."

Dashboard: Priorities for the Future

Montreal must use its status as a cultural and scientific hub to attract "luxury and knowledge" immigration.

Tourism should be viewed not as a fleeting visit, but as the gateway to sustainable investment in our real estate and social fabric.