The Government of British Columbia is investing $250,000 in the 2017 Honda Celebration of Light, Vancouver’s international musical fireworks competition.

Staged along Vancouver’s English Bay, the Honda Celebration of Light is B.C.’s largest free, public event and biggest offshore fireworks competition in the world. Pleasing crowds since 1990 and hosting over 20 countries in their 27-year history, this year’s participating countries are Japan (July 29), United Kingdom (Aug. 2) and Canada (Aug. 5).

Hosting international festivals helps drive the BC Jobs Plan and contributes to healthy and vibrant communities. The Honda Celebration of Light continues to provide a significant boost to tourism throughout the greater Vancouver region. Over the course of three days, the festival is expected to attract 1.5 million spectators and generate up to $40 million in economic activity for the province.

The Ministry of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Responsible for Labour awarded the festival $100,000 through the Tourism Events Program in addition to $150,000 from the Ministry of Community, Sport and Cultural Development. The Tourism Events Program supports events that raise national and international awareness of British Columbia’s tourism experiences to attract more visitors and heighten tourism and economic activity in communities throughout British Columbia.

Quotes:

Peter Fassbender, Minister of Community, Sport and Cultural Development –

“As the largest offshore fireworks competition in the world, the Honda Celebration of Light’s pyrotechnical extravaganza lights up Vancouver skies like nothing else. This international event is just one of our many attractions happening in our province throughout the year that provide terrific entertainment for residents and visitors, while generating positive social and economic returns to B.C. communities.”  

Shirley Bond, Minister of Jobs, Tourism and Skills Training and Minister Responsible for Labour –

“The Honda Celebration of Light will provide British Columbians and visitors to our province three memorable nights of free family entertainment. Our government is investing in this special event as it will bring world-wide attention to Vancouver’s stunning beauty and will generate significant revenue for the tourism and hospitality industry. In 2015, the tourism industry generated $15.7 billion in revenue and we see that momentum continuing into 2017.  Events like the Honda Celebration of Light make British Columbia a top vacation destination.”

Paul Tilbury and Heather Owen, co-chairs of the Vancouver Fireworks Festival Society –

“The Honda Celebration of Light is an iconic cultural festival for British Columbia, putting our province on the global stage with its free, family-friendly format. The event generates more than $40 million in economic impact for B.C., and the support from the Government of B.C. is critical to our success. On behalf of the board and all of the HCOL fans, we thank the ministries for this additional funding."  

Quick Facts:

• Creative industries are a major contributor to the province’s economy and job creation, responsible for more than 85,000 quality jobs, and contributing over $4 billion to the provincial GDP.
• Since 2001, the B.C. government’s support for the province’s arts and culture community has exceeded half a billion dollars – $658 million – more than any other government in B.C. history.
• In addition to the funding announced today, the Government of B.C. invests about $50 million in sport and over $98 million in the tourism sector annually.
• In 2016, 5.5 million international visitors came to B.C. – a 12.3% increase (605,198 more visitors) compared to 2015.
• In 2015, the tourism industry generated $15.7 billion in revenues with a direct contribution to B.C.’s gross domestic product of $7.4 billion.

Learn More:

Honda Celebration of Light: http://hondacelebrationoflight.com/

Tourism Events Program: http://ow.ly/kL1Y309KOWo

BC Jobs Plan: http://engage.gov.bc.ca/bcjobsplan/economy/tourism/