Tourism Statistics for June and July Available

Nova Scotia welcomed 1,114,100 visitors from January to July, a one per cent increase compared to the same time last year.

In keeping with recent trends, the number of people travelling to Nova Scotia by road, year-to-date, is up nine per cent, while air visitors are down 15 per cent compared to 2008. As of July, room nights sold are down five per cent compared with the same period in 2008.

The one per cent increase in visitors, year-to-date, was a direct result of a strong July which had close to 329,000 people visit Nova Scotia. This was an increase of 20 per cent, or about 56,000 visitors, compared to July 2008. During July, road visitors increased by 23 per cent, air travel increased by 14 per cent, and room nights sold were up one per cent compared to July 2008.

"Hard working tourism professionals in the industry, strong marketing and major events throughout the province have served us well in these volatile economic times," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.

"Indications that travellers would be vacationing closer to home this year because of the state of the economy seem to be holding true, which validates the strategic decisions tourism operators and the department made this year in their tourism plan."

To the end of July 2009, 58 per cent of visitors were from other Atlantic provinces. Ontario, Quebec and Western Canada combined, accounted for 31 per cent of the total. Visits from the United States made up eight per cent, while overseas visitors comprised three per cent.

During June, there were 193,100 visitors to Nova Scotia, a two per cent decrease, or about 4,200 fewer visitors compared with June 2008. Road visitors were up five percent, while air travel was down 17 per cent, and room nights sold in the month of June were down seven per cent compared to June 2008.

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 all licensed accommodation operators.

Detailed tourism statistics can be found on the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage website at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/pubs/insights . Statistics for August are expected to be released in September.