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 May 2025 Visitation
Visitation to Nova Scotia in the first five months of 2025 declined, following an increase in 2024. Specifically, Nova Scotia welcomed 488,000 visitors, down 7% (37,000 fewer visitors) compared with the first five months of 2024.
- 309,000 visitors arrived by road (down 9%, or 31,000 fewer visitors, compared with the same period in 2024).
- 179,000 visitors arrived by air, a decrease of 3% (6,000 fewer visitors) compared with 2024.
The softness observed in visitation from Atlantic Canada in 2024 has continued into 2025, with 278,000 visitors from Atlantic Canada in the first five months of 2025, a decrease of 2%, or 6,000 fewer visitors, compared with 2024.
Following an increase in 2024, visitation from Quebec declined by 3% in the first five months of 2025 compared with 2024, with 20,000 visitors arriving so far this year (600 fewer visitors than last year).
Following a strong increase in 2024, visitation from Ontario in the first five months of 2025 declined by 16% compared to last year, with the province welcoming 119,000 visitors (22,000 fewer visitors) from this market.
January to May 2025 saw 35,000 visitors arrive to Nova Scotia from Western Canada (a decrease of 21% or 9,000 fewer visitors versus 2024). This follows a substantial increase observed in the first five months of 2024.
Internationally, visitation from the United States decreased by 2% compared to 2024 with 20,000 visitors arriving between January and May (400 fewer visitors). This follows an increase in visitation in 2024 from this market.
In the first five months of 2025, 16,000 visitors have arrived from overseas markets, an 11% increase (or 2,000 more visitors), following a decline in visitation from overseas markets in 2024.
2024 Visitation to Nova Scotia
2024 Nova Scotia Visitation Statistics
2024 Tourism Performance Infographic
Visitation to Nova Scotia in 2024 declined slightly following strong growth in 2023. In 2024, Nova Scotia welcomed just over 2 million non-resident visitors, a decrease of 2% (or 43,000 fewer visitors) compared with 2023.
Of these 2024 visitors, 1.3 million arrived by road (down 7%, or 88,000 fewer visitors compared with 2023). Visitation to Nova Scotia by air increased by 6% (or 45,000 more visitors) compared with 2023, with 777,000 visitors arriving by air in 2024.
Visitation from Atlantic Canada, Nova Scotia’s largest market, continues to see softness in visitation post-pandemic. Specifically, 860,000 Atlantic Canadians visited Nova Scotia in 2024, a decrease of 2% compared with 2023 (20,000 fewer visitors). Visitation from Quebec also dipped to 104,000, a decrease of 4% compared with 2023 (4,000 fewer visitors).
Following strong growth in 2023, visitation from Ontario declined in 2024, with 586,000 visitors arriving, a decrease of 6% (38,000 fewer visitors) compared with 2023. Ontario remains Nova Scotia’s second-biggest market, accounting for 29% of visitation to Nova Scotia in 2024.
Visitation to Nova Scotia from Western Canada increased in 2024, reaching 218,000 visitors, up 1% from 2023 (or 2,000 more visitors).
Visitation from the US continued to increase, with 172,000 visitors arriving in 2024 (an 11% increase, or 17,000 more visitors over 2023). This market continues to see challenges in terms of recovery post-pandemic.
Visitation from overseas markets was stable compared with 2023, with 88,000 visiting Nova Scotia in 2024.
Non-resident Visitors to Nova Scotia:
About Visitation Statistics
Visitation statistics are compiled from a variety of sources, including:
- 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
- Visitor data from provincial and community visitor information centres
- Cruise passenger data from Halifax Port Authority and Sydney Ports Corporation
- Attendance data from select tourism operators
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.