Montreal Tourism 2026: 11M Visitors, $5B Economic Impact
Montreal tourism (2026 snapshot)
Annual visitors: 11+ million
Revenue: $5B+ to local economy
Jobs: 80,000+ direct, 50,000+ indirect
Peak months: July, August (festival season)
💡 Insider tip: Tourisme Montréal’s free MTL Pass app gives 30%+ discounts at 50+ attractions, restaurants, and museums. Pick up at any Tourisme Montréal kiosk.
✨ Best for: visitors, weekend trips, families maximizing budget.
Tourisme Montréal →📍 In this article
📊 Tourism by the numbers
| Metric | 2024 | 2026 forecast |
|---|---|---|
| Total visitors | 11M | 12M+ |
| International share | ~35% | 38% |
| Direct revenue | $5.0B | $5.5B |
| Hotel nights (intl) | +12% YoY | +8% projected |
| Tourism jobs (direct) | 80,000 | 85,000 |
📈 What’s driving growth
- Strong festival programming — Jazz, Just for Laughs, Osheaga, Igloofest
- Post-pandemic rebound in cultural tourism
- Affordability vs Toronto/Vancouver for accommodation + dining
- New direct flights from US and European hubs
- Convention bookings at record highs in 2024-2026
- Food + wellness tourism rising fast
Frequently asked questions
How many tourists visit Montreal annually?
11+ million visitors per year (2024 data). $5+ billion in tourism revenue. ~35% from outside Canada, primarily US, France, UK.
Peak tourist season in Montreal?
July + August (festival season). May, June, September second-tier. December winter peak (Igloofest, Christmas markets, hockey). Lowest: February + November.
Why is tourism growing?
Strong festival programming, post-pandemic rebound, affordability, expanded flights, growing French-speaking visitor base, food + wellness tourism.
Tourism economic contribution?
$5+ billion direct annually. 80,000+ direct jobs + 50,000+ indirect.
Is Montreal safe for tourists?
Yes. Ranks among safest large cities in North America. Violent crime well below US averages and most Canadian peer cities.
Reviewed by: Montreal Tips editorial team · Last updated: May 13, 2026
Sources: Tourisme Montréal annual report 2024, Statistique Quebec.
