Tourism spending in the province is estimated at about $800 million
per year. Resident travel accounts for about 63% of total spending
with the remainder accounted for by tourists from outside the
province.
Preliminary figures suggest that non-resident visitors to the
province this year could reach 492,200, up from the 441,700 recorded
in 2003. Total spending could reach $355 million. These strong gains
stand in contrast to the performance elsewhere in Atlantic Canada
where either modest gains or losses were recorded. Air and cruise
visitors are responsible for the increase in non-resident tourist
activity in this province. Gains in both these sectors more than
offset the drop in the number of tourists travelling by automobile. |
| Non-Resident Tourists
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Department of
Tourism, Culture and Recreation
Note: Air and auto tourist data is subject to revision pending the
results from the 2003-04 air and auto exit surveys. |
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Airport passenger movements increased 13% during the first eight months
of this year, with consumers taking full advantage of attractive seat
prices and travel packages. This growth was consistent with a busy
convention year. The number of delegates travelling to conventions in
the St. John’s area is expected to be up by about 20% in 2004.
The number of cruise ship passengers visiting the province could reach
20,000 this year, barring any significant cancellations. This will
represent an increase of more than 40% over 2003. Approximately 147 port
calls are scheduled, compared with 77 last year.
While air and cruise travel has been up this year, the number of
tourists travelling by automobile, both resident and non-resident, is
down. During the first eight months, the number of non-resident tourists
travelling by ferry were down 11% compared with the same period in 2003.
Declining auto visits are also reflected in lower visitation at the
province’s historic sites, museums, Visitor Information Centres, and
public and commercial campgrounds. Some of the reasons for the decrease
in overall automobile travel this year are escalating gas prices, higher
ferry rates, the high value of the Canadian dollar, and border waiting
times.
In summary, some areas of the province have benefitted from strong
growth in air and cruise visitors this year, however, other regions,
more dependent on auto traffic and resident tourism, have experienced
declines.
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