TOURISM, CULTURE AND HERITAGE–-June Tourism Stats Available

Nova Scotia welcomed 816,000 visitors between January and June, a four per cent increase compared to the same time last year. The province also experienced an increase of four per cent during June compared to 2009.

Room nights sold in June were up six per cent compared to last year and three per cent higher during the first six months of the year.

Air travel increased by five per cent in June while visitors travelling by road increased three per cent compared to last year.

"While we are experiencing a good start to the tourism season, the numbers for July and August will give us a real sense of the year as a whole," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "Tourism is important to every region in Nova Scotia and we continue to work with our industry partners as they create good jobs to grow the economy."

Between January and June, domestic travel to the province showed four per cent growth. Visits from Ontario and Quebec were up five per cent and visitors from Atlantic Canada increased six per cent compared to last year. Visits from Western Canada are down 11 per cent year to date.

While overseas visitors increased four per cent from January to June, visits year to date from the United States decreased by two per cent and United Kingdom visitors fell by six per cent.

The number of people travelling to Nova Scotia by road during the first six months of the year grew by six per cent. Air travel decreased by two per cent during the same period.

Tourism is an important contributor to Nova Scotia's economy. In 2008, the industry employed over 31,000 people and generated revenues of $1.82 billion.

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

Detailed tourism statistics can be found on the Department of Tourism, Culture and Heritage website at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/tourism/facts-figures.aspx