Latest news with #DestinationVancouver
Vancouver Sun
5 days ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. seeing fewer U.S. visitors in 2025, but trend offset by increase in Canadian tourists
The number of American visitors to B.C. has dropped over the past several months as trade-war tensions have escalated between Canada and the U.S. The number of U.S. cars heading north into B.C. was down by almost seven per cent from February to July, compared to the same time period last year, according to data from Statistics Canada . That is still far less than the 40 per cent decline in B.C. visitors heading to the U.S. during the same period. And while some B.C. tourism destinations have suffered from fewer U.S. travellers, the shift has mostly been offset 'by a notable increase in Canadian visitors,' Clare Mason, a communications director at wrote in an email. '(Tourism) operators are reporting a shift in where their visitors are coming from — particularly a surge in domestic travel from across Canada,' Mason wrote. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. About 650,000 U.S. vehicles crossed into B.C. between February and July this year, about 47,000 fewer than the same period in 2024, before President Donald Trump announced tariffs on Canadian and Mexican goods and before he began suggesting that Canada should become a U.S. state. At the start of 2025, about 20,000 more U.S. cars entered the province in January compared to the previous year. But tables started to turn in February when several thousand fewer Americans drove to B.C. The trend has continued since, with thousands fewer Americans coming north each month. The Pacific Highway crossing in Surrey experienced the biggest decline in U.S. travellers — 15 per cent fewer Americans came north from February to July of this year compared to last. The Aldergrove crossing had 9.6 per cent fewer crossings, and the Douglas (Peace Arch) crossing saw a 7.6 per cent decline. B.C. was the second-most popular province for American tourists in 2024, after Ontario, according to federal data. The decline in U.S. tourists to B.C. comes even as the Canadian dollar has continued to fall in value against the American dollar. A number of high-profile summer conferences in Vancouver this summer — including a record-breaking 35,000 attendees at an Alcoholics Anonymous International conference in early July — has offset the drop in U.S. visitors, according to Suzanne Walters, communications director at Destination Vancouver , a non-profit promoting tourism in Vancouver. Roughly 2.7 million U.S. tourists are expected to visit Vancouver this year and next, according to Destination Vancouver estimates, although Walters acknowledged shifting political and economical environments mean 'conditions continue to change.' U.S. travellers made up nearly a quarter of all tourist visits to Vancouver in 2024, according to Destination Vancouver. @njgriffiths ngriffiths@
Vancouver Sun
24-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Vancouver Sun
Michelin Guide returns this fall to award stars, recommendations to hopeful Vancouver restaurants
The Michelin Guide ceremony — the restaurant equivalent of The Oscars — will return to Vancouver on Oct. 2. The invitation-only event, set to take place at the Commodore Ballroom, will see local chefs and restaurant teams gather to see which culinary hot spots have received a coveted Michelin Star or guide distinction for the year. Launched in 2021 via a five-year partnership with Destination Vancouver, the local Michelin Guide has been a source of big buzz within the city's restaurant scene. 'The passion, talent and camaraderie of the Vancouver community is truly palpable and makes it a perfect destination for foodies both near and far,' said Gwendal Poullennec, international director of the Michelin Guide, in a news release. Discover the best of B.C.'s recipes, restaurants and wine. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of West Coast Table will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. That renewed buzz will undoubtedly be welcome amid the challenging current climate that has rocked the local restaurant industry this year. In recent months, a string of eatery closures has underscored how dire the situation has become in Vancouver. A drop in American tourists visiting the city, rising food costs, inflation, staff shortages and decreased weekday traffic have all been pointed to as contributing factors to the industry decline. Read more about Why Vancouver restaurants are struggling — and what you can do to help here. The Michelin Guide website currently lists a total of 74 restaurants (including 16 Bib Gourmand and 50 Michelin Recommended) representing 23 cuisines in and around the city. Vancouver boasts 10 Michelin-starred restaurants: Learn more about Vancouver's Michelin-starred restaurants in our guide here. The Michelin selection process has long been the subject of discussion within culinary circles. The inspectors, who are always anonymous, are trained to apply 'the same time-tested methods' around the world, according to the guide in order to ensures 'a uniform, international standard of excellence.' Inspectors pay their bills in full. The cuisine is evaluated using five criteria: 'product quality; mastery of cooking techniques; harmony of flavours; the personality of the chef as reflected in the cuisine; and consistency over time and across the entire menu.' Vancouver Sun restaurant critic Mia Stainsby reported that, in an email from an anonymous chief inspector for the Michelin Guide in North America , the inspectors are 'always evaluating exciting new destinations for the Guide.' Last year's ceremony saw four restaurants added to the list including: Sushi Masuda (One Star); Gary's (Bib Gourmand); Zab Bite (Michelin Recommended); and Bravo (Michelin Recommended). To date, no Vancouver restaurants have received more than a one-star designation from the guide. Aharris@
Yahoo
25-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Vancouver hotel shortage prompts urgent push for new developments
Vancouver is on course to face a critical hotel room shortage by the summer of 2026, as the city's tourism and events sector outpaces the available accommodation supply. With hotel occupancy rates already among the highest in North America, city officials and developers are now racing to increase capacity before the shortfall begins to impact revenue and event hosting. Hotels across Vancouver currently operate at around 80% occupancy throughout the year, rising to 95% in peak travel months. These figures significantly surpass those in other West Coast cities—San Francisco averages 62.8%, while Seattle reports 70.3%. The pressure on available rooms is reflected in prices, with average nightly rates in downtown Vancouver reaching $422 during the summer, nearly double the national average. The shortage stems from long-standing stagnation in hotel development. Between 2002 and 2022, the city lost more rooms than it added, with just 12 new hotels opening in two decades. The pandemic accelerated this decline, as around 550 rooms were repurposed for supportive housing. Royce Chwin, CEO of Destination Vancouver, said the city has not increased its hotel stock since 2002, warning that failure to act could see investors look to more favourable markets. A report by Destination Vancouver forecasts severe consequences if the shortage continues. By 2050, the region could forfeit up to $30.6 billion in economic output, with losses including $16.6 billion in GDP, 168,000 jobs, and $7.5 billion in tax revenue across all levels of government. The situation has shifted market dynamics in favour of hotel construction. With reduced demand for office and residential projects, developers are turning to hospitality. Construction began in May 2025 on a 30-storey Marriott hotel at Seymour Street—the city's first major hotel project in years. Scheduled to open in 2028, it will combine the Moxy and Element brands, offering 390 rooms. Twenty-two other projects, representing 4,200 potential rooms, are currently in the development pipeline. However, many are stalled by rising construction costs and limited financing, making progress uneven. To address the issue, Vancouver City Council approved a package of new policies in April 2025 aimed at accelerating hotel construction. These include increased density allowances in the Central Business District—home to nearly half the city's hotel rooms—along with looser regulations on mixed-use projects and office-to-hotel conversions. Developers now have a three-year window with reduced site size requirements, particularly targeting mid-sized downtown lots. The city's Hotel Development Task Force has also outlined the types of accommodation most urgently needed: large hotels with event space, mid-range options near public transit, extended-stay facilities, affordable rooms for younger travellers, and smaller boutique resorts. Despite these initiatives, no new hotels are expected to open before 2026. Industry observers forecast that supply will continue to fall short of demand, with Metro Vancouver likely to face ongoing accommodation pressure through to 2040. Vancouver's hotel capacity has become a key factor in its ability to remain competitive as a global travel and events destination. While recent policy shifts and construction starts mark progress, stakeholders warn that the city must move quickly to prevent long-term economic repercussions linked to the persistent room shortage. "Vancouver hotel shortage prompts urgent push for new developments" was originally created and published by Hotel Management Network, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Sign in to access your portfolio
CTV News
24-06-2025
- Business
- CTV News
B.C. economy will get a kick out of hosting FIFA World Cup games, government says
Workers clear the turf at B.C. Place during a FIFA World Cup 2026 update in Vancouver, Tuesday, April 30, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Ethan Cairns There is less than a year to go before Vancouver is on the global stage hosting seven FIFA World Cup soccer games, and leaders are promoting the economic benefits of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the international showcase. A joint statement from B.C. Tourism Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says one million additional out-of-province visitors are expected between 2026 and 2031, generating more than $1 billion in spending. The statement says more than 18,000 jobs could be generated in that same period. It says FIFA predicts that preparing for and hosting the tournament could contribute $1.7 billion in economic benefits for B.C., including a $980-million increase in gross domestic product and $610 million in 'labour income.' Sim says the city's direct costs of hosting seven games 'remain on track' after the budget ballooned in 2024. Last year, organizers announced the estimated cost of hosting the event more than doubled to between $483 million and $581 million, including costs for the city, the province and stadium upgrades. The province estimates the net core provincial cost of hosting remains similar to earlier predictions, in the range of $85 million to $145 million. Royce Chwin, president of Destination Vancouver, says in the statement that hosting the games will have lasting benefits. 'FIFA World Cup 26 is more than a series of matches. It's a catalyst for economic activity, international visibility, and community pride. Hosting seven games will energize our downtown core, including hotels, restaurants, venues, and surrounding neighbourhoods,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025.
Globe and Mail
24-06-2025
- Business
- Globe and Mail
B.C. will get an economic boost from hosting the FIFA World Cup games, government says
There is less than a year to go before Vancouver is on the global stage hosting seven FIFA World Cup soccer games, and leaders are promoting the economic benefits of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the international showcase. A joint statement from B.C. Tourism Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says one million additional out-of-province visitors are expected between 2026 and 2031, generating more than $1 billion in spending. The statement says more than 18,000 jobs could be generated in that same period. It says FIFA predicts that preparing for and hosting the tournament could contribute $1.7-billion in economic benefits for B.C., including a $980-million increase in gross domestic product and $610 million in 'labour income.' World Cup 2026 organizers prepare for wrinkles created by U.S. travel restrictions City of Toronto still sorting out FIFA World Cup funding with 13 months to go Sim says the city's direct costs of hosting seven games 'remain on track' after the budget ballooned in 2024. Last year, organizers announced the estimated cost of hosting the event more than doubled to between $483-million and $581-million, including costs for the city, the province and stadium upgrades. The province estimates the net core provincial cost of hosting remains similar to earlier predictions, in the range of $85-million to $145-million. Royce Chwin, president of Destination Vancouver, says in the statement that hosting the games will have lasting benefits. 'FIFA World Cup 26 is more than a series of matches. It's a catalyst for economic activity, international visibility, and community pride. Hosting seven games will energize our downtown core, including hotels, restaurants, venues, and surrounding neighbourhoods,' he said.
