With 2 million visitors and $3.5 billion in tourism spending, more people are discovering the unique appeal of our province. Whether it's our breathtaking coastlines, vibrant culture, exceptional golf, delicious seafood, or fine wines, tourists are falling in love with what we have to offer.
As we kick off this year's tourism season, I extend my best wishes for a successful season to all our tourism operators and businesses.
images - 2025-04-07T141541.927.jpegIn 2024, Nova Scotia welcomed two million visitors, resulting in a remarkable $3.5 billion in tourism revenue.
"Nova Scotia is a thrilling travel destination, with visitors captivated by our beautiful coastlines, diverse cultures, and premier golf, seafood, and wines," said Dave Ritcey, Minister of Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage.
"We are collaborating with communities and businesses to enhance our province's visibility and encourage people to choose Nova Scotia for their next getaway." Despite a strong growth year prior, the number of visitors saw a slight decrease of two percent in 2024. However, tourism revenue surged by 10 percent, reaching $3.5 billion. Air arrivals increased by six percent in 2024, thanks to several new non-stop flight options. Conversely, the number of visitors arriving by road fell by seven percent. We saw a rise in visitors from Western Canada and the United States, while those from Atlantic Canada and Ontario decreased. Accommodations reported sales of three million room nights in 2024, marking a minor decline of one percent, equating to 17,000 fewer room nights sold compared to 2023.
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Quotes: "Tourism revenues exceed $3 billion each year, employing over 50,000 Nova Scotians. It serves as a major economic engine for communities throughout the province. This is an excellent time for businesses to showcase our hospitality to all visitors and for Nova Scotians to rediscover our own province and support local enterprises." — Darlene Grant Fiander, President, Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia
Quick Facts: - The province is allocating $4.5 million to tourism support programs in 2025, focusing on marketing, digital adoption, and product development. - Tourism Nova Scotia runs advertising campaigns targeting Atlantic Canada, Ontario, Quebec, Calgary, the northeastern United States, the UK, and Germany.