For immediate release: May 2, 2024
FREDERICTON (NB): Fredericton’s tourism industry continued to make strong gains in 2023 and, after 3 years of record growth, has surpassed pre-pandemic levels.
Fredericton accommodations saw an increase of 8.1% in hotel room nights sold in 2023, amounting to over 385,000 room nights sold in the capital city. Stacey Russell, Manager of Fredericton Capital Region Tourism says that continues to position the industry well leading into 2024.
“This past year was an exciting year in promoting the entire Fredericton Capital Region and, thanks to our hotel accommodation levy, we were able to aggressively market to leisure travelers in ways we’ve not been able to before within Ontario, Quebec, and Calgary” says Russell.
In addition to the leisure traveler, Fredericton saw a strong return in Meetings & Conventions sector, an integral contributor to our tourism and hospitality sector while the Sport Tourism sector, which was the first to return to post-pandemic levels, continues to grow.
“Fredericton has hit it’s stride with more visitors coming to the Capital Region” says Russell. “From festivals, events, meetings & conventions, sport, and motorcoach all are very important sectors to the overall return of the tourism & hospitality sector”.
The first quarter of 2024 has been a great start with the recent announcement of Westjet’s new Calgary flight as well as Fredericton’s strong occupancy in March, outpacing all other Maritime provinces. April kicked off with thousands coming to the Fredericton Capital Region to experience Fredericton EclipseFest. We’re hopeful to continue this trajectory.
Looking ahead to the summer there’s a lot to be excited about with the return of programming in Officers’ Square in July. As well, there are several high-profile sporting events including the PGA Tour Americas at the Mactaquac Provincial Golf Course and the Pan-American Black Bass Fishing Championship in Nackawic on the Wolastoq (Saint John River). Fredericton will also see a strong multi-weekend event with the new Bubba Mac Summer Classic consisting of 6 consecutive weekends of baseball tournaments and a great draw to the capital city.
Fredericton Capital Region Tourism presented it’s 2023 industry results and its plans for 2024 at their annual spring tourism industry update today at the Fredericton Convention Centre.
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Media Contact:
Stacey Russell, Manager
Fredericton Capital Region Tourism
(506) 260-6958
stacey.russell@fredericton.ca