March Tourism Stats Available

About 116,100 people visited Nova Scotia in March, a six per cent decrease -- or about 7,500 fewer visitors -- compared with March 2007.

This was mainly caused by 6,300 fewer visitors travelling by road from other parts of Atlantic Canada, likely the result of harsher winter driving conditions this year. There were 7,100 visitors from the United States and 4,700 visitors from overseas, a 25 per cent and 68 per cent increase respectively over March 2007. This increase may be related to film production and preparations for special events.

Room nights sold across the province totalled 159,100, a one per cent decrease over last March.

"We're stepping up our marketing campaign in key markets as we head in our peak tourism months," said Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage Bill Dooks. "The issues facing the industry, such as high fuel prices, a high Canadian dollar, the U.S. economy and others remain, and we are working hard to maintain and grow our market share in the face of these challenges."

Two thirds of Nova Scotia's 2.1 million annual visitors come during May through October.

Statistics Canada reported that the number of U.S. and overseas visitors to Canada hit a record low in March. While visits to Nova Scotia from the United States increased this March, overall the province, like the rest of Canada, is experiencing a downward trend in American visitors.

Year to date 2008, there have been 324,400 visitors to Nova Scotia, a three per cent decrease, with 412,400 room nights sold, a two per cent increase over the same period last year. Final numbers for 2007 show a one per cent increase in visits over 2006.

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 April are expected to be released in early June.

For more information on the province's tourism marketing campaign or to view some of the ads visit www.novascotia.com/media .