October, Estimated Year-end Tourism Statistics Available

Nova Scotia's tourism industry expects to end the year with about 2,102,000 visitors, a projected increase of one per cent compared to 2008.

The province welcomed 1,865,300 visitors from January to October, up one per cent compared with this time last year.

While the number of visitors is up slightly, the preliminary revenue estimate of $1.31 billion for 2009, is a slight decrease of 1.6 per cent from last year. The decline is attributed to a decrease in visitors from Western Canada, the United States and overseas who all tend to stay longer.

"For Nova Scotia to have held its own despite global economic and tourism challenges says a great deal about the resilience and innovative spirit of our tourism industry," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage.

"Despite a slight decline in revenue, our industry remains one of Nova Scotia's most significant economic drivers. We will continue to work with our industry partners to strengthen its contribution to the provincial economy."

The number of people travelling to Nova Scotia by road, year-to-date, is up seven per cent, while visitors travelling by air are down 11 per cent compared with 2008. As of October, room nights sold are down four per cent compared with the same period in 2008.

In the month of October, 188,500 people visited Nova Scotia. This was an increase of one per cent compared with October 2008. Road visitors increased by one per cent, while air travel increased by three per cent, and room nights sold were down two per cent, compared with October 2008.

To the end of October, domestic travel showed growth of two per cent, even though visitors from Western Canada and Quebec were down by five and four per cent respectively. Visitors from Ontario improved by four per cent or 16,500 more people and those visiting from Atlantic Canada increased by two per cent or almost 21,000 visitors, compared with this time last year.

Americans visiting Nova Scotia decreased by two per cent in October, and year-to-date results remain down two per cent. To the end of October, 11 per cent more visitors arrived by motor vehicle from the United States, while visitors arriving by air dipped 18 per cent, compared with this time last year.

October visits from overseas markets increased by 14 per cent, however visits year-to-date remained down six per cent.

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 November are expected to be released in December.

The department will announce its 2010 tourism plan at the 2009 Tourism Summit - The Evolution of Tourism, at the World Trade and Convention Centre in Halifax, Monday, Nov. 29, at 2:30 p.m.