Tourism stats show three per cent decrease

Nova Scotia welcomed 335,500 visitors in August, virtually the same as August 2007.

So far this year, there have been 1,433,100 visitors to Nova Scotia, which is a three per cent decrease compared with the first eight months of 2007.

For August, visits from across Canada were up three per cent or 9,300 visitors with all markets reporting an increase.

There were 10 per cent more overseas visitors, which is about 1,200 people. There were 17 per cent fewer American visitors, which represents 9,000 fewer people. "Despite the challenges facing the industry across Canada, we held our own in August, which we are happy to see," said Tourism, Culture and Heritage Minister Bill Dooks. "We're looking forward to a strong fall. With great events like Celtic Colours, Nova Scotia will be a busy destination again this year."

Year to date, rooms nights sold are up two per cent. For August, room nights sold 369,400, a one per cent decrease over last August. Increases were seen in the Halifax/Dartmouth, Yarmouth and Acadian Shores, and Eastern Shore regions.

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

For the month of August, cruise passenger activity is up 34 per cent, or about 7,200 people, at the Port of Halifax, and 205 per cent, or about 6,200 people, at the Port of Sydney compared with August 2007. Cruise visitors are not included in overall visitor numbers.

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 .