June Tourism Stats Available

Nova Scotia welcomed more than 197,000 visitors in June, a two per cent decrease -- or about 3,500 fewer visitors -- compared with June 2007. So far this year, there have been 824,000 visitors to Nova Scotia, which is about the same as as the first six months of 2007.

"Year to date, we're on par with last year," said Bill Dooks, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. "We will get a better sense of how the whole tourism season is unfolding as we get the numbers for our peak period which runs through the summer and into the fall."

Room nights sold across the province were up seven per cent compared with last June, with all regions seeing increases. The regions of Yarmouth and Acadian Shores and metro Halifax/Dartmouth each saw an eight per cent increase.

There were 14 per cent fewer American visitors, which represents 3,600 fewer people in June.

Overall, visits from the rest of Canada are consistent with June 2007. Although there was a decrease in Atlantic Canadian visitors, there were more visitors from Western Canada, which had a 12 per cent increase year to date, as well as Ontario and Quebec.

There were 18 per cent more overseas visitors, which is about 1,300 more people in June.

In keeping with recent trends, the number of people travelling to Nova Scotia by road decreased nine per cent, while visits by air were up 17 per cent in June.

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/dtc/pubs/insights . Statistics for July are expected to be released in early September.