Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation
In the first nine months of this year, nearly half a million more international visitors travelled to B.C. than in the same period last year, representing an 11.9% year-over-year increase with over 4.5 million travelers.
The latest international overnight visitors from Statistics Canada also show a 14.9% increase in international visitors over September 2015 (74,287 more visitors).
Other notable increases for September (over September 2015) include:
- South Korea - up 44.6%
- China - up 32.2%
- Mexico - up 28.2%
- UK - up 27.9%
- Australia - up 21.1%
- Europe - up 20.5%
- India - up 15.8%
- United States - up 11%
(flickr.com) 
(flickr.com) Large increases in international visitors from China, Mexico and the United Kingdom are due in part to improved air access from those regions and Vancouver International Airport’s vision and business model.
China has a new three-times-per-week flight on Xiamen Airlines, which was introduced between Xiamen Gaoqi International Airport in China and Vancouver this summer. Air China also introduced an additional three flights per week for August and September. The new flights are thanks in part to a 2012 international jet fuel tax eliminated by the provincial government to reduce costs for airlines and give travellers more choice.
Quotes:
Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –
“These latest international visitors statistics validate the good tourism stories we’ve been hearing around the province. Already this year, a half a million more international visitors have come to B.C. More and more people are choosing to #exploreBC, and our province is one of Canada’s premier tourism destinations.”
Marsha Walden, CEO Destination British Columbia –
“Tourism is one of the world's fastest growing industries. Among global travellers, Canada is hot. And B.C. is sizzling! Right now, B.C. is showing an almost 15% increase year-over-year in overnight arrivals from our international markets. This surge of visitors at the end of summer is a great sign for the tourism seasons ahead and leading into 2017.”
Quick Facts:
- The tourism industry is helping fuel the provincial economy, which is expected to lead the country in economic growth in 2016 and 2017.
- Tourism supports nearly 19,000 businesses and 127,500 employees in B.C. and is a key sector in the BC Jobs Plan.
- The Province supports the sector with a $98 million annual investment across every region to grow the sector.
- In 2015, 4.9 million international visitors came to B.C. – about an 8% increase compared to 2014.
Learn More:
For more information on the latest tourism statistics for 2016 visit: http://www.destinationbc.ca/Research/Industry-Performance/International-Visitor-Arrivals.aspx
Destination BC: http://www.destinationbc.ca/
BC Jobs Plan: http://www.bcjobsplan.ca/
Audio clips of Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour:
