October Tourism Stats Available

Nova Scotia welcomed three per cent more visitors in October compared to October 2010.

Total visitors from January to October were down two per cent compared to last year. Room nights sold were flat for October, and decreased one per cent year to date.

"We continue to see mixed results in our tourism indicators this year," said Percy Paris, Minister of Economic and Rural Development and Tourism. "We are working collaboratively with industry through the new Nova Scotia Tourism Agency to create a long-term provincial strategy for tourism that will help Nova Scotia reach its fullest potential in this highly competitive market."

For the month of October, air travel was up by 15 per cent, while road travel decreased by two per cent. Year to date, air travel was up nine per cent compared to 2010, while road travel to the province decreased by six per cent.

Motorcoach traffic has increased by 30 per cent compared to the 2010 season.

Cruise ship passengers to Halifax showed a seven per cent decrease year to date over last year and visits to Sydney were down two per cent.

Visit from the United States for the month of October were down by four per cent compared to 2010. U.S. visits to Nova Scotia were down five per cent year to date.

Domestic travel to the province was down two per cent year to date. Visits from Quebec increased by nine per cent and visits from Western Canada increased by five per cent. Visits from Ontario were down by two per cent, while visits from Atlantic Canada decreased by four per cent.

Total overseas visits were up 10 per cent for the year. Results for Germany are up 31 per cent, while visits from the United Kingdom were down 14 per cent.

Tourism statistics vary across the province. Detailed results can be found at www.gov.ns.ca/econ/tourism/research/latest-activity-updates.asp .

Nova Scotia's comprehensive system for reporting monthly tourism statistics includes counting non-resident overnight visitors at 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 directly employed more than 22,000 people and generated revenues of $1.82 billion.