November Stats Available

Nova Scotia welcomed 1,986,700 visitors to the end of November, a one per cent increase or about 17,800 more visitors compared with the same time in 2008.

While the number of visitors is up slightly, the number of room nights sold are down four per cent, or 92,800 room nights, between January and November.

"We will continue to monitor the tourism results closely and work with our industry partners as we move forward," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Percy Paris.

In the month of November, more than 121,400 people visited Nova Scotia. That was a one per cent decrease, or about 1,200 fewer visitors, compared with November 2008.

Road visitors decreased by one per cent, and visits by air fell two per cent compared with November of last year.

Room nights sold totalled 156,200, a one per cent decrease over last November. Increases were seen in the Yarmouth and Acadian Shores and Cape Breton regions.

To the end of November, domestic travel grew two per cent. Visitors from Ontario and Atlantic Canada were up four per cent and two per cent respectively, while visitors from Western Canada and Quebec were down by five and four per cent respectively.

Consistent with the trend being reported across Canada, there were 15 per cent fewer American visitors in November, while overseas visits increased by 10 per cent. However overseas visits year-to-date remained down by 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/tourism/facts-figures.aspx .