SYDNEY, N.S. — Peak tourism numbers across the province were down five per cent in 2019 compared to the same point last season, according to the latest statistics released by the province.
Nova Scotia welcomed 1,247,200 overnight visitors between June and September 2019, according to the provincial numbers.
The province believes tourism operators were impacted by factors such as hurricane Dorian, the absence of the Yarmouth-Maine ferry and the grounding of the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft.
Despite the decrease, the industry remains strong after several years of growth, with 262,500 more people visiting the province during this summer’s peak months compared with the summer of 2013, before the One Nova Scotia report called for an expansion of tourism.
“Hosting the world is something Nova Scotia does well and we had a great season despite challenging external factors,” said Geoff MacLellan, minister responsible for Tourism Nova Scotia, in a press release.
“That’s a testament to the strength of our tourism industry and the people who work hard to give visitors a great Nova Scotia experience. The industry is in a better position today than it was just a few years ago, creating new world-class experiences and gaining national and international recognition, and I strongly believe we will continue to experience growth.”
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