News release

Record Year for Tourism in Nova Scotia

Tourism and Culture (Aug. 1999 - Dec. 2003)

Nova Scotia's tourism industry is roaring toward a record year for revenues.

Revenues are estimated at $1.3 billion, a five per cent increase over last year. The number of non-resident visitors to the province also increased and is expected to reach 2.2 million, up three per cent over 2001.

"Tourism is and will continue to be a success story in this province because of the industry's demonstrated ability to set common goals and go after them together," said Rodney MacDonald, Minister of Tourism and Culture. "And this collaboration comes from all sides -- private sector, regional associations and all levels of government."

Mr. MacDonald joined Paul Stackhouse, chair of the Tourism Partnership Council (TPC), and Karl Webb, president of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia (TIANS), today to share information on tourism performance at this year's 25th Annual Tourism Conference and Trade Show held at the Westin Nova Scotian Hotel in Halifax.

"These numbers are significant," said Mr. Webb. "They clearly demonstrate the major impact tourism has on our economy. Our industry continues to prove its strength as an employer and as a revenue generator for the province."

It's estimated that industry revenues generate 34,500 tourism- related jobs in the province, with a payroll of $515 million. It also means $122 million in provincial and municipal tax revenues.

"Our industry has a lot to be proud of," said Mr. Stackhouse. "Despite the challenges our industry has faced over the past 14 months, we have come out on top and are still a growing billion- dollar industry."

At this year's conference the Tourism Partnership Council unveiled its vision for tourism, which focuses on industry co- operation to grow tourism revenues by 100 per cent in 10 years.

"There's no question that it's a challenge," said Mr. Stackhouse. "But it is achievable. We're talking about making changes, real changes that will create an environment for improvement and growth."

Some of those changes include enhancing the province's tourism products, ensuring a continued stable tourism workforce in the future and creating higher standards of quality for products and services.

"The solid partnerships our industry has developed will carry our vision for tourism," said Mr. MacDonald. "The better we work together, the more successful we become. We can grow this industry 100 per cent and after seeing this year's numbers, I think we're off to a great start."

Some indicators:

  • As of Oct. 31, non-resident overnight visitors to Nova Scotia totalled 1.96 million, up three per cent from the same period in 2001. Air travel was up seven per cent at the end of October. Road traffic was up by two per cent. Specifically, Canadian traffic was up by two per cent, while U.S. traffic increased by 10 per cent. Traffic figures are provided by the Department of Tourism and Culture, which counts the number of vehicles arriving at entry points throughout the province.

  • Provincial room nights sold for all of Nova Scotia also experienced growth, with a four per cent increase between January and October. Six of seven regions posted gains over last year: the South Shore, up seven per cent; Halifax/Dartmouth, up four per cent; the Eastern Shore, up three per cent; Cape Breton, up six per cent; the Northumberland Shore, up five per cent; and the Fundy Shore, up two per cent. The Annapolis Valley region matched results from 2001.

  • Provincial museums are showing a three per cent increase over last year, with 612,000 visitors between January and October.

  • National parks and historic sites are mixed, with Halifax Citadel down one per cent to the end of October, while Fortress Louisbourg was up three per cent and the Alexander Graham Bell was up seven per cent. Visits to Kejimkujik National Park are down five per cent over 2001.

  • Between April 1 and Oct. 31, cruise ship passenger visits were down one per cent in Halifax, but up 37 per cent in Cape Breton.

  • Total campground site-nights sold were up five per cent for May through September.

  • As of Oct. 31, requests for Check-In literature were up seven per cent over 2001. The number of people counselled at provincial visitor information centres was up 17 per cent.

  • Golf activity decreased this year, with green-fee rounds down three per cent to Oct. 31.