Tourism is one of PEI’s largest and most impactful industries. One in 10 Islanders works in tourism, and the industry generates $84 million annually in provincial sales tax. When tourism grows, provincial tax revenue grows, helping to fund essential services like recruiting doctors, supporting school lunch programs, and improving infrastructure across the Island.
Over the coming weeks, we’ll meet some of the incredible Islanders working in the industry and learn more about the people and ideas driving tourism forward.
Listen to their stories.
January 15th – Ava Rivard
This week’s spotlight is on Ava Rivard, a server at The Local who exemplifies the best of PEI’s tourism industry. Ava is passionate about hospitality and is balancing her work with her studies at UPEI, where she is pursuing a nursing degree. Her story highlights how working in tourism builds valuable skills that transfer to other careers and contributes to her dream of staying on PEI to work in healthcare.
Audio Player
January 22nd – Lori MacGregor
This week’s spotlight is on Lori McGregor, Executive Director of Points East Coastal Drive. Lori has dedicated her career to supporting local businesses through her previous work with the Eastern PEI Chamber of Commerce and now leads efforts at Points East to expand PEI’s tourism season beyond the summer months. Through her focus on events and product development, Lori plays a vital role in supporting tourism operators and growing year-round demand in Eastern PEI.
Audio Player
January 29th – Susan Freeman
This week’s spotlight is on Susan Freeman, Executive Director of Meet PEI. Susan is a career tourism professional. With a Bachelor of Tourism and Hospitality Management from Mount Saint Vincent University and experience spanning from her family’s cottage business in Cavendish to hotel management, Susan now leads efforts to attract business events & conferences to PEI. As a passionate advocate for tourism, Susan’s work showcases how meetings drive year-round tourism for Prince Edward Island.
Audio Player
February 5th – Rose Dennis
Rose Dennis is the Executive Director at Explore Summerside. With 20+ years of immersion in the Prince Edward Island tourism industry, Rose is positioned well to contribute greatly to the organizations ongoing success and growth.“We are really excited about having Rose continue to build on the great work that operators in Summerside and the surrounding area have done in the last few years”, said Don Quarles, the Board President of the organization.“Rose’s extensive knowledge in the tourism industry, along with her network of operators and tourism stakeholders will be a great asset to the greater Summerside area and both the North Cape Coastal and Central Coastal Regions” said Quarles.
Audio Player
February 12th – Corryn Clemence
Corryn Clemence, CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of PEI. Corryn is a leader in the province’s tourism sector and the voice of PEI’s tourism industry. Before stepping into her role as CEO of TIAPEI, she worked as the Business Development Manager with The Charlottetown Harbour Authority and as Director of Marketing and
Communications for Tourism Charlottetown and the PEI Convention Partnership
