News release

October, Year-end Statistics Available

Tourism, Culture and Heritage (Dec. 2003 - Jan. 2011)

Nova Scotia expects to show an overall gain in its tourism numbers for 2010, welcoming about 2,100,000 visitors, a projected increase of one per cent compared to 2009.

The province welcomed 1,887,100 visitors from January to October, up one per cent compared with this time last year.

"Tourism is an important sector in the province, helping to support communities in every region by creating good jobs that grow our economy," said Percy Paris, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "The industry's contributions help the province provide vital services, including good health care for families."
For the month of October, the number of visitors decreased by three per cent compared to 2009.

Room nights sold in the province were up three per cent in October, compared to last year. From January to October they are the same as last year.

Road travel to the province increased by three per cent in the first ten months of the year, and two per cent in October. Air travel is down thirteen per cent for the month, decreasing three per cent so far this year.

Cruise ship passenger visitors to the province grew significantly this year. Visits to Halifax were up 16 per cent and Cape Breton was up 15 per cent.

Between January and October, overall domestic travel to the province showed two per cent growth. Visits from Atlantic Canada and Quebec are up three per cent, while Ontario visits increased one per cent compared to last year. Western Canadian visitors are down seven per cent for the first ten months.

Visits from Germany are up five per cent, while United Kingdom visits fell eight per cent and total overseas visitors decreased eight per cent year to date. Visits from the United States are down two per cent in the same time period.

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

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

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.

The department will present its 2011 Tourism Plan at the annual Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia conference on Monday, Nov. 29.