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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.
 

See 2022 Accommodation Statistics (PDF)

See 2022 Tourism Performance Report (PDF)

See 2021 Full Year Tourism Performance Indicators (PDF)

2022 Accommodations Activity in Nova Scotia

Accommodations sales saw strong recovery in 2022 and room nights sold surpassed 2019 across all regions. Overall for the year, operators across the province reported 2.9 million room nights sold in 2022, a 61% increase (1.1 million more room nights sold) compared with the same period in 2021, and a 6% increase over 2019 (169,000 more room nights sold). 

The highest gains were in Yarmouth & Acadian Shores, where sales were up 51% (29,000 more room nights sold), South Shore, where sales were up 20% (35,000 more room nights sold), and Bay of Fundy & Annapolis Valley, where sales were up 11% (35,000 more room nights sold) compared with 2019. In Halifax, 2022 sales were up 2% (27,000 more room nights sold) compared with 2019.

Nova Scotia Room Nights Sold (TNS Accommodations Database):

Bar graph comparing monthly room night sales in 2022 with 2021 and 2019.

2022 Sharing Economy Activity in Nova Scotia

According to AirDNA data, there were 581,000 room nights booked through sharing economy platforms in 2022, an increase of 48% compared with 2021, and up 19% compared with 2019. The increase in bookings through sharing economy platforms year over year outpaced increases in sales reported by accommoda-tions in Tourism Nova Scotia’s database.

Room Nights Booked Through Sharing Economy Platforms:

Bar graph comparing monthly room nights booked through sharing economy platforms in 2022 with 2021 and 2019.

2022 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 $168 overall for 2022, an increase of 45% over 2021 and an increase of 16% compared with 2019.

The average room rate in the Halifax Regional Municipality was $180, up 17% over 2019, while the average room rate of $141 in the rest of Nova Scotia was up 13% compared with 2019.

Average Room Rates Per Night in Nova Scotia:

Bar graph comparing monthly average room rates in 2022 with 2021 and 2019.

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.

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