01/06/2026
Halifax’s tourism sector has hit a massive stride, transforming the city into a premier global destination. The results are in, and 2025 was a historic year for the Halifax waterfront.
While the world is still finding its footing, Halifax has cemented itself as a marquee port of call, drawing in record numbers of visitors from across Canada and around the globe. The city is currently riding a wave of momentum that is expected to carry even further into 2026.
Halifax harbour welcomed over 357,000 cruise passengers this past season. The port hosted 184 vessel calls, including seven overnight stays that allowed tourists to spend more time supporting local shops and restaurants. Six brand-new ships made their first-ever stop in Halifax this year, including the highly anticipated Brilliant Lady.
A huge part of this success is thanks to Canadians choosing to explore their own backyard. Ongoing trade tensions and high costs south of the border have led many to trade U.S. holidays for Maritimes adventures. Hotel bookings reached near-capacity levels, with tourism revenue in Nova Scotia jumping to a staggering $3.0 billion by September.
The coming year is set to be even bigger with major events like SailGP and the ICF Junior and U23 Canoe Sprint World Championships. With the city’s room supply expanding through new developments, Halifax is more ready than ever to welcome the world.
Whether it’s the fresh salt air or our famous East Coast hospitality, the world has discovered what we’ve known all along: there’s no place quite like the Maritimes.
