Nova Scotia Welcomed More Visitors in 2010

Nova Scotia welcomed 2,123,100 visitors in 2010, an increase of more than 30,000 compared to 2009.

"As the economy continues to recover in Canada, and around the world, Nova Scotia is seeing more travellers, and that's good news for our tourism industry," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism.

"We have seen a significant increase in cruise ship passengers arriving in Halifax and Cape Breton. Visitors are also increasingly choosing to experience the province's natural attractions by using RVs and campgrounds in greater numbers."

Cruise ship passenger visitors to the province grew significantly this year. Visitors to Halifax increased by 16 per cent and visitors to Cape Breton were up by 11 per cent.

"It's been a record year for us, thanks to the efforts of all our tourism industry partners," said Port of Halifax manager of cruise development Cathy McGrail.

"We have welcomed more than 260,000 cruise guests this season, generating $50 million in direct expenditures. We continue to grow and receive strong customer satisfaction ratings because we are working together to make this destination a great experience."

Nova Scotia continues to attract the majority of its visitors, 88 per cent, from within Canada. For 2010, overall domestic travel to the province showed a two per cent growth. Visits from Atlantic Canada grew by three per cent, Quebec visits are up four per cent, while Ontario visits increased by two per cent compared to last year. Western Canadian visitors are down six per cent for the year.

In 2010, nine per cent of all visitors to Nova Scotia came from the United States, a decrease of two per cent compared to 2009. Overall, visitors from overseas decreased seven per cent compared to the previous year. However, visits from Germany were up 10 per cent.

The majority of visitors to the province use our roads as a point of entry. Seventy-two per cent of visitors travelled by road, while the remaining 28 per cent arrived by air. Road travel to the province increased by two per cent for the year, and decreased by seven per cent in December. Air travel decreased by one per cent for the year, but was up 34 per cent for the month. In December, the total number of visitors increased by three per cent, while room nights sold in the province were on par for the for the month, and for the year.

"Tourism is an important contributor to Nova Scotia's economy, employing more than 31,000 people and generating revenues of $1.82 billion," said Mr. Paris.

"With the new jobsHere plan and the recent decision to merge the Department of Economic and Rural Development and with Tourism, I am confident that Nova Scotia's tourism industry will continue to thrive in the coming years."

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 industry activity varies across the province. Detailed results can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/tch/tourism/facts-figures.aspx.