There were more visitors to Cape Breton in June compared to the same period last year. (Destination Cape Breton)

Tourism to Nova Scotia is on the rise, according to new figures from the Department of Tourism.

The province welcomed 614,100 visitors between January and May of this year, up four per cent compared to the same period last year.

Visits from Ontario were up five per cent compared to this time last year, and there were also more visitors from Atlantic Canada, Quebec and the United States.

"We're pleased to see an encouraging start to the tourism season, although it is still very early to speculate on the year as a whole," tourism minister Percy Paris said in a release Tuesday.

Tourism operators in Cape Breton say the numbers are very encouraging for the island.

"The huge, huge draw is very much the people and the culture," said Mary Tulle, head of Destination Cape Breton.

She said the authenticity of the Cape Breton culture is what attracts people. "That really is so impactful when we talk about a visitor's experience."

Tulle said visitors to Cape Breton in June increased 20 per cent over last year, according to figures compiled by her organization.

Tourism is an important contributor to Nova Scotia's economy. Government figures show that in 2008, the industry employed more than 31,000 people and generated revenues of $1.82 billion.