November Tourism Stats Available

Nova Scotia's tourism statistics for November 2006 continue the general trend of previous months. There were two per cent fewer overnight visitors as compared with November 2005, and room nights sold were on par with the same month in 2005.

The number of visitors from January to November of last year was nearly two million -- consistent with the same period in 2005.

Room nights sold were up one per cent provincewide in the first 11 months of 2006, compared with the same 2005 period. They varied by region, from a five per cent increase in the Annapolis Valley, to a six per cent decrease on the Eastern Shore.

"Nova Scotia's tourism industry held steady in 2006, attracting as many visitors as in 2005 and bringing in an estimated $1.31 billion in revenues -- the same as 2004," said Len Goucher, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Through the Tourism Partnership Council, industry and government now have a new plan to face the challenges and take advantage of the opportunities in the competitive global tourism market."

Following the national trend, there were eight per cent fewer visitors from the United States by the end of November, compared with the same period in 2005. There were four per cent fewer visitors from overseas.

One per cent more visitors came to Nova Scotia by air by the end of November. There was no change in road visitation.

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

Detailed tourism statistics can be found on the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage website at www.gov.ns.ca/dtc/pubs/insights . Statistics for December 2006 are expected to be available in early February.