The total number of visitors to the province increased by one per cent in 2009, while the number of room nights sold decreased by 97,000 or four per cent.
“We held our own in 2009 and are doing all we can to attract visitors in 2010,” said Percy Paris, minister of Tourism, Culture and Heritage. “As we get ready to roll out our marketing activities for the coming year, we will continue to work with the industry as we move forward to strengthen tourism in Nova Scotia.”
Overall in 2009, 88 per cent of tourists came from other parts of Canada, nine per cent travelled from the U.S., and three per cent visited from overseas.
The number of visitors coming from other parts of Canada increased by one per cent, while the number of overseas guests decreased by six per cent. The downward trend of American visitors to Canada continued in 2009, with three per cent fewer visitors from the U.S.
Nova Scotia’s comprehensive system for reporting tourism statistics includes counting overnight visitors, excluding residents, at all entry points to the province and gathering the number of room nights sold from all licensed accommodation operators.
