Tuesday, April 16, 2019
Last year was Nova Scotia’s best tourism revenue year on record despite a modest decline in visitation.
Tourism revenues reached an estimated $2.61 billion which represents a 0.3 per cent increase compared to updated 2017 revenue estimates of $2.60 billion. The preliminary tourism revenue estimates for 2018 are based on updated estimates for 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017. While the updated revenues are lower than the original preliminary estimates, the revenue growth trend and trajectory that started in 2015 has not changed.
About 2,413,000 non-resident overnight visitors came to Nova Scotia last year, just 0.8 per cent or 19,500 fewer visitors than in 2017, which saw the highest visitation in Nova Scotia’s history. Visitation to Nova Scotia in 2018 has increased by 27 per cent, or 500,000 more visitors compared to 2013.
Tourism Nova Scotia’s strategy is not only to attract more first-time visitors, but to attract those who are likely to spend more while they’re here. Growth in tourism revenues over the last four years has come from spending by non-resident visitors. We’re trending upwards and demonstrating growth in crucial areas – compared to 2017 visitation by air is up 4%, overseas visitation is up 15%, and licensed room nights sold are up 1%.
While the tourism industry has seen tremendous growth in the last five years, there are six strategic game changer opportunities that everyone will need to embrace to reach the goal of $4 billion in tourism revenues by 2024. They include improving the supply and quality of accommodations, increasing air capacity from key markets, attracting more visitors from China, addressing labour challenges, extending the tourism season, and continued strategic marketing.
Click here to read the press release. For a complete breakdown of results visit: https://tourismns.ca/research/visitor-statistics/tourism-performance
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