A new report on tourism on P.E.I. in June shows a good start to the season, but the Tourism Industry Association of P.E.I. worries the numbers are coming too slowly.

Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty recognizes there is a problem. (CBC)

The idea of the monthly reporting is to allow the industry time to react with its advertising if the statistics reveal a problem.

For instance, the current report, released Tuesday, contains strong numbers in the west, up 27 per cent in West Prince and 31 per cent in Summerside, and relatively static numbers in the east. It is also finding visitation is generally down at the province's historic sites.

Receiving this information in a timely manner might allow the industry and province to react by redirecting marketing dollars, but this report was released with just two days remaining in July.

Tourism Minister Valerie Docherty recognizes there is a problem.

"We need to work with industry as a whole," said Docherty.

"This is not something my department is going to make a decision on all by themselves. We want to work with the industry and try to find the best solution to get these numbers more quickly."

The numbers come from information provided by tourism operators across the province, and the government requires a 95 per cent rate of compliance from tourism operators before they can publish the monthly statistics.

Docherty has the power to revoke licences from tourism operators who don't submit their monthly statistics, but the department has given some leeway during the busy season.

TIAPEI executive director Don Cudmore said his organization is working to get operators to report more quickly.

"We're trying to get as many operators to participate instead of waiting for the longer time for the numbers to come in. It would be helpful to have the numbers sooner," said Cudmore.

The peak season on P.E.I. is only two months long.

If the July numbers come out around the same time next month, it will give the industry no time to react to change anything in August.