New study finds golf is likely PEI’s leading tourism driver, contributing $107M to provincial GDP

New study finds golf is likely PEI’s leading tourism driver, contributing $107M to provincial GDP

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Charlottetown, PE (June 11, 2026) – A new PEI golf industry economic impact study by Jupia Consultants and Golf PEI has found that golf is likely the island’s single biggest tourism draw, responsible for an estimated one in seven visitors to PEI in 2025 and contributing $107 million to the provincial economy.

“Golf is almost certainly Prince Edward Island’s top tourism magnet,” said David Campbell, author of the study and President of Jupia Consultants. “In 2025, nearly half of all golfers came from outside the province. No other province generates more economic value from golf relative to the size of its economy.”

The study found that the industry supported 1,800 jobs and generated over $26 million in provincial and municipal tax revenue in 2025, helping fund health care, schools, and public services across the Island.

“Golf helps fill accommodations, restaurants, and communities right across PEI,” said Sam MacPhail, CEO of Golf PEI. “For a province that has long made tourism its calling card, golf has become one of its most powerful assets. And the numbers back it up: PEI is Canada’s Golf Island.”

Some highlights from the report include:

• PEI has the highest concentration of golf courses relative to both population and land area of any province in Canada – almost twice as many per square kilometre as the next closest province, Nova Scotia
• Golf revenue on PEI has grown 89% since 2019, the fastest rate of any province in Canada
• The golf industry and related visitor spending accounted for an estimated 15% of all tourist expenditures on PEI in 2025
• PEI’s golf industry contributes 50% more to provincial GDP than the national average – more than any other province

The study concludes that with the right support, the industry is well-positioned to attract even more visitors to the Island in the years ahead.

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You can read PEI Golf: A vital driver of the Island’s tourism industry by clicking here. 

About Golf PEI:

Golf PEI is a non-profit association dedicated to promoting the game of golf and the exceptional golfing experiences available in Prince Edward Island. Representing 18 member courses, Golf PEI works tirelessly to attract golfers and enrich the province’s tourism landscape. For more information, visit www.golfpei.ca.

About Jupia Consultants:

Jupia Consultants is a full-service economic development planning and consulting firm based in Moncton, New Brunswick. We work with governments, communities, not-for-profit organizations and industries across Canada and in the United States. Our core strengths are in economic impact analysis, workforce development, population growth, return on taxpayer investment (ROTI) analysis, sector development and investment attraction. We have worked on projects in more than 100 communities over nearly 20 years. For more information, visit www.jupia.ca.

Media Contact:

Sam MacPhail

CEO, Golf PEI