October Tourism Stats Available

Four per cent more visitors came to Nova Scotia in October and room nights sold were up one per cent over the same month last year, the latest tourism statistics show.

The number of overnight visitors so far this year continues to be on par with the same period in 2005 at nearly 1.9 million.

The number of room nights sold year-to-date was up two per cent provincewide and varied by region, from an eight per cent increase in the Annapolis Valley, to a five per cent decrease on the Eastern Shore, compared with the same period of 2005.

"Nova Scotia has held its own this year in the face of an increasingly competitive global tourism market," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Len Goucher. "Through the Tourism Partnership Council, industry and government have crafted a new tourism plan that takes into account our new realities, and sets new directions for the future."

Following the national trend, there were eight per cent fewer visitors from the United States so far this year, and five per cent fewer visitors from overseas.

Three per cent more visitors came to Nova Scotia by air so far this year over the same period in 2005. There is no change in road visitation.

"Air travel is becoming the transportation of choice and we have a tremendous opportunity for growth with all the new flights stopping in Halifax for U.S. pre-clearance," said Mr. Goucher. "Our new tourism plan reflects this and other new realities, and we look forward to launching it next week at the annual industry conference."

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 .