Does a strong fall tourism season lie ahead? P.E.I. businesses say maybe

Some Charlottetown business operators say the fall tourism season looks promising, assuming staff stay on and the weather co-operates. 

Liam Dolan, owner of Peake's Quay Restaurant and Bar, says cruise ships will continue to arrive well into the fall, giving a "big boost" to his business. 

But he knows he can't control what arrives from the sky.  

"I am very, very, very nervous because the whole weather cycle is changing and there's nothing you can do about it," said Dolan.

He founded and still runs the P.E.I. International Shellfish Festival, which last year was scheduled to happen the weekend after post-tropical storm Fiona smashed into the Island. 

"I cross my fingers every day," he said of that uncontrollable factor.  

This summer season was quieter than the post-COVID boom year of 2022, but still up from 2019, Dolan said. And while it was easier to hire staff, finding people who can stay for the whole season is still a challenge. 

As the fall nears, many of his younger employees leave to go back to university or college — leaving a gap from the beginning of the school year to the end of the fall season, he said. 

"It's still tough. We have 130 people on the payroll here," said Dolan. "There's a lot of seats here, so I need a lot of staff." 

Other businesses have found ways to entice workers to stay on for as long as possible. 

Brenna Ing, manager of Coastal Culture, a clothing and souvenir shop on the waterfront, said they've created an incentive program to do just that.   

"We do do a loyalty bonus when you sign on," said Ing. "If you stay the whole season, then you do get a bonus on your last paycheque." 

She said it's proven an effective way to keep staff: "Most people do stay on."   

The fall season has been built up over the last few years with events like the Shellfish Festival and P.E.I. Fall Flavours Culinary Festival, said Corryn Clemence, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island.