Tourism industry says 2024 was a strong year for Maritimes
As the cruise ship season draws to a close, the Maritime tourism industry says 2024 was a strong year across Atlantic Canada.
Tourism Nova Scotia says there has been a strong recovery in tourism since the pandemic.
“Tourism Nova Scotia currently has tourism statistics up to July 2024. So far this year, the province has welcomed just over one-million visitors, which is about the same as last year,” says Afton Doubleday, a director of outreach with Tourism Nova Scotia.
Kevin Toth, chair of Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, also says this was a good year for tourism.
“It started off a bit slower but as summer progressed, bookings picked up,” says Toth. "I don't think we are at our 2019 levels, which we were aiming for this year. I think most operators got pretty close, but I don't think anyone is really eclipsing those levels.”
The cruise ship traffic helped these numbers.
Lori MacLean, senior communications manager with Halifax Port Authority, says they had a successful season.
"The season ends on Sunday, Nov. 3, and the last cruise ships will be leaving that day and that will be for the season to end as expected (with) 201 vessels this year to Halifax,” says MacLean
The Port of Halifax expects around 300,000 visitors by the end of this season.
Nicole MacAulay, manager of cruise Port of Sydney development, says they had a record year with 117 cruise ships carrying about 210,000 visitors. This is quite a jump from the 110 cruise ships last year with 172,000 passengers.
Mike Cochrane, Port Charlottetown CEO, says they saw 94 ships carrying around 152,000 visitors.
Saint John wraps up their cruise ship season Monday. Natalie Allaby, director of cruise excellence with Port Saint John, says they had 74 cruise ships this year with roughly 163,000 visitors.
Toth says tourism is one of the leading drivers in GDP not only in Nova Scotia, but Canada as well.
“Our industry contributes more to the GDP than forestry, fisheries, agriculture combined. We represent, as I said, 10 per cent of the GDP,” says Toth.
Kevin Toth notes tourism this year did not reach historic levels seen prior to the pandemic, but it did experience high numbers, particularly during the fall, which bodes well for 2025.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
Labour minister unveils steps to end Canada Post strike
Canada Post workers began their strike four weeks ago, halting mail and package deliveries across the country. Labour Minister Steven MacKinnon said he hopes work will resume as early as next week.
Ottawa to remove 30% investment cap for Canadian pension funds
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland says the upcoming fall economic statement on Monday will remove the cap that currently restricts Canadian pension funds from owning more than 30 per cent of the voting shares of a Canadian entity.
Canada's homicide rate down in most provinces, with 2 exceptions
The homicide rate is declining in Canada, and the country’s three largest cities all saw double-digit percentage decreases in homicides per capita, according to data released this week.
'They believe in diplomacy, good luck': Doug Ford doubles down on energy threat as some premiers distance themselves
Doug Ford is standing behind his threat to stop providing the U.S. with electricity in response to president-elect Donald Trump’s promised tariffs, even as several other premiers publicly distance themselves from the stance.
Vader case: What it's like to watch a parole hearing if you're the grandson of homicide victims
On the other side of the planet, Bret McCann, whose grandparents went missing and died in the 2010s, sat anxiously as the man convicted in their deaths pleaded for parole.
Top musician forced to cancel Toronto concert after Air Canada refused to give his priceless cello a seat on plane
Famed British cellist Sheku Kanneh-Mason, who became a household name after performing at the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle, has said he had to cancel a concert in Canada after the country’s largest airline denied his pre-booked seat for his cello.
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit that alleged sexual assault by 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe
Paula Abdul and former 'American Idol' producer Nigel Lythgoe have agreed to settle a lawsuit in which she alleged he sexually assaulted her in the early 2000s when she was a judge on the show.
Federal government says 'not to confuse' premiers' differing opinions on Trump tariff retaliation, 'confident' in Canada's response
As it continues to tout a 'Team Canada' approach, the federal government is downplaying differing opinions from premiers on how Canada should respond to a potential 25 per cent tariff from U.S. president-elect Donald Trump.
Eight people injured after horse-drawn wagon went out of control in eastern Ont.
Eight people were injured after horses became out of control while a man was offering a horse-drawn wagon ride Thursday in eastern Ontario, according to the Brockville Police Service.