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Accommodation Statistics

Tourism Nova Scotia gathers and reports tourism statistics on behalf of the tourism industry. These statistics help inform our decision-making, help describe visitors to Nova Scotia, and can be used by tourism businesses and organizations for planning and business development. As tourism indicators are compiled from several sources, data becomes available at different times. Tourism Nova Scotia reports the most up-to-date statistics available so reporting timelines for each indicator may differ.

Year-to-Date March 2025 Accommodations

Year-to-Date March 2025 Accommodations Activity in Nova Scotia

Accommodations 

Nova Scotia accommodations operators report 474,000 room nights sold between January and March of 2025, a 1% decrease (6,000 fewer room nights sold) compared with the first three months of 2024.

Compared with 2024, three tourism regions reported growth in room nights sold in the first three months of 2025: 

  • South Shore, up 4% (1,000 more room nights sold)
  • Eastern Shore, up 4% (100 more room nights sold)
  • Northumberland Shore, up 5% (2,000 more room nights sold)

Three regions reported a decline in room nights sold compared with 2024:

  • Cape Breton, down 7% (4,000 fewer room nights sold)
  • Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, down 7% (4,000 fewer room nights sold) 
  • Yarmouth and Acadian Shores, down 6% (1,000 fewer room nights sold)    

Meanwhile, the Halifax Metro region experienced minimal change in room nights sold compared with January to March of 2024. 

Graphic of accommodations activity from January to March 2025.

Year-to-Date March 2025 Sharing Economy Activity in Nova Scotia

According to AirDNA data, there were 73,000 room nights booked through sharing economy platforms in the first 3 months of 2025, an increase of 10% compared with 2024.

Graph indicating room nights sold using sharing economy for January to March 2025.

Year-to-Date March 2025 Average Room Rate in Nova Scotia

According to the latest data from the CBRE Hotels National Market Report, the average room rate for Nova Scotia accommodations was $163 for the period of January to March 2025, which is a 4% increase compared with 2024.

The average room rate from January to March 2025 in the Halifax Regional Municipality was $170 (up 3% versus 2024). For the same period, the average room rate of $145 in the rest of Nova Scotia was up 6% compared with 2024.

Graph indicating average room rates for Nova Scotia for January to March 2025.

Tourism statistics are compiled from a variety of sources, including:

  • Operator accommodation occupancy reports
  • Room rate data from CBRE Limited
  • Data collected by AirDNA regarding room night bookings through sharing economy platforms
  • In-person surveys administered to passengers at the Halifax Stanfield International Airport
  • Motor vehicle enumeration at the Nova Scotia – New Brunswick border
  • Passenger information from ferry operators
  • The Nova Scotia Visitor Exit Survey
  • Data from Halifax International Airport Authority

These statistics reflect the combined efforts of tourism businesses, organizations, communities, and governments, and include activities by both Nova Scotians and non-resident visitors. There are many factors that contribute to tourism industry performance including events, weather, gas prices, air capacity, currency fluctuations, geo-political circumstances, and industry initiatives such as marketing. Tourism Nova Scotia is just one organization among many contributing to tourism growth. We support tourism growth through marketing in key national and international markets, support for experience and business development, and visitor servicing. For more information about Tourism Nova Scotia's strategy and performance, please see Plans & Reports.