5-year P.E.I. tourism plan looks to year-round visitors

The Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. is developing a five-year strategic plan, and one of the goals will be to expand the season beyond the warm weather months.

Association CEO Kevin Mouflier said the new strategy will build on what has been done previously.

"It's really a key component to our growth, to market effectively utilizing our past research about where we're going to put our dollars," said Mouflier.

"Thinking outside the box is so important to our growth."

The next six weeks will be spent gathering information from stakeholders.

Mouflier hopes the plan will identify new ways to attract visitors, not just in the summer but year-round.

The goal will also look at expanding different aspects of tourism, including experiential tourism on P.E.I.

"Turn over every rock to look at any opportunity that we have," he said.

"Having a fresh perspective is the key component going forth for stakeholders to really get involved, engaged in sessions across the Island."

The plan is being developed with a company called Tourism Development International, and will be presented at TAIPEI's AGM in November.