Campbell's Cove Campground saw a seven per cent increase in business this summer. (Campbell's Cove Campground)

The eastern end of P.E.I. is celebrating a good year in tourism while more traditional destinations have been suffering.

Despite an excess of sunny weather the Island saw a drop in visitors in July, but that did not appear to hit the Points East tourism region. The optimism comes after years of concern that the end of the Island was falling out of fashion.

"It's really encouraging to see some turnaround," said Doug Deacon, chair of the Islands East Tourism Group. "We have operators looking at long-term expansion."

The occupancy rate at fixed roof accommodations was up 3.0 per cent, and the performance at campgrounds was even better. Site nights sold were up 6.9 per cent.

"We've been working hard and growing steadily," said Catherine Mooney owner of Campbell's Cove Campground.

"At one point we had to turn people away. We actually have a waiting list for seasonals."

Restaurants are reporting good business, too. Clamdiggers in Georgetown reported a 12 per cent increase in business, and Rick's Fish and Chips in St. Peters Bay was up 25 per cent over last year.

"It's been an awesome summer, we've had tourists from just about everywhere," said Rick's Fish and Chips owner Rick Renaud.

Even visitor centres, which have seen drops in visitors of as much as 49 per cent in other parts of the province, were up — by 3.5 per cent in Wood Islands and 5.5 per cent in St Peters.

Deacon said the weather can probably take some credit for the good business, but he also believes effective social marketing by operators is having an impact. Many operators are providing daily Facebook and Twitter updates, he said.

"Some days we were getting like 100,000 hits in the middle of the summer, so it really paid off," said Deacon.

Deacon hopes this is just the start of a trend bringing more visitors to eastern P.E.I.

Question of the day: Is the rebound in eastern P.E.I.'s tourism a good sign for the future?