News release

August Tourism Statistics Available

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

Nova Scotia's tourism operators continue to face the challenges of an increasingly competitive global industry. The province has welcomed about 1.5 million visitors so far this year -- the same as the first eight months of 2005 -- but there was a five per cent decrease in August from the same month in 2005.

Accommodations activity was up four per cent overall for August, with variances in the regions. Operators in the Annapolis Valley reported a 17 per cent increase in room nights sold for the month. Other areas varied, from up eight per cent in Halifax Regional Municipality to down three per cent on the Northumberland shore.

"The visitor numbers for August are better than in July, but they're still down from the same month last year so we're continuing to take every opportunity to promote Nova Scotia to potential tourists," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Len Goucher. "The fall is off to a good start with lots of entertainment in Halifax in September and cultural events throughout the season like Celtic Colours in Cape Breton."

The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia recently surveyed its members about the current tourism season.

"These statistics continue to support what we are hearing from our members who've told us that some sectors and regions are doing better than others," said Darlene Grant Fiander, acting president of the association. "Industry optimism decreased over the summer months, but we are getting some good indicators on the fall season. We're continuing to focus on areas such as quality of product and service and other issues that affect the competitiveness of the industry."

The department's fall marketing campaign began with Maritime newspaper, television and radio advertising in the first two weeks of September. There were 225,000 flyers in newspapers on Sept. 23, with 40,000 of them including the Doers and Dreamers guide on CD. There are currently 300,000 flyers, which list fall festivals and events, in the mail to households in the Maritimes. A dozen billboards in New Brunswick are promoting the production Drum and Celtic Colours. Half the billboards are in Moncton and half in Saint John.

Work is also underway on the joint industry-government tourism plan for 2007. A joint plan is created each year through the Nova Scotia Tourism Partnership Council. This council includes 14 industry representatives and two representatives from government.

Nova Scotia's comprehensive system for reporting tourism statistics includes counting overnight visitors -- while excluding Nova Scotia residents -- at all entry points to the province, and gathering the number of room nights sold from all licensed accommodation operators around the province.

Detailed tourism statistics can be found on the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage website at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/pubs/insights .