Vancouver’s Tourism Flourishes

Bursting with activity, Vancouver is one of Canada’s most visited – and populous – cities. It’s easy to see why. The coastal location and surrounding mountains not only provide stunning vistas, but a range of outdoor recreations as well. Think hiking through Stanley Park, to mountain biking on the famous North Shore, or skiing and snowboarding on Cypress Mountain; and in the warmer months, sunbathing at Kits Beach.

For those who prefer the indoors, there is a bustling art scene, with more than 50 professional theater companies and the popular Museum of Anthropology, which houses preeminent First Nations collections. Movie buffs can take a look at Tourism Vancouver’s new film portal, which highlights the city’s thriving film tourism scene. Big-name movies and TV shows — such as “Riverdale,” “Supergirl,” “The Flash,” “Deadpool,” and “Fifty Shades of Grey” — used parts of the city as its backdrop. Meanwhile, another major blockbuster starring Chris Hemsworth and Jeff Bridges will be shooting scenes for the thriller, “Bad Times at the El Royale,” through April.

Meeting the demand
Last year will likely turn out to be Vancouver’s fourth consecutive record-breaking year, with an estimated 10.3 million visitors. In 2018, Vancouver is expected to welcome 33 citywide conventions and events, the highest number the city has ever hosted in a single year. Additionally, the seaside city gets approximately 230 cruise ship calls annually. To meet this growing demand, hotels, restaurants, and airlines have increased options across the board.

New direct flight options arriving at Vancouver International Airport are being introduced this year. New daily service between Sacramento and Vancouver on Air Canada will begin May 17. Air Canada will also launch year-round, non-stop flights to Melbourne in June; as well as begin two new non-stop flights to Paris and Zurich. In addition, the carrier announced it will expand its seasonal direct flights from Vancouver to Delhi to a year-round schedule.

Two new boutique hotels are slated to open in 2018. Executive Hotels & Resorts are developing the waterfront SeaSide Hotel in North Vancouver, scheduled to open later this year. The high-end property boasts 71 oceanfront rooms and suites, with an ocean-facing spa suite and lobby bar. The hotelier is also in the midst of constructing a 202-room hotel occupying the first 11 floors of the Exchange Tower; the four-star Exchange Hotel opens this summer.

Vancouver has become known as the country’s premiere foodie destination. A unique mix of cultures lends itself to a diverse culinary scene, providing an array of food tour options sampling West Coast seafood, Chinese cuisine and gastropub staples.

New restaurants are always popping up, eager to join the city’s renowned culinary scene. Opening inside the brand new Parq Vancouver hotel and casino complex is The Victor, an upscale steakhouse on the sixth-floor rooftop level. Autostrada recently opened on Main Street, serving classic Italian dishes. In Chinatown, Mahjong Social will open its doors offering a traditional dim sum menu at lunch and dinner, while the rooftop lounge and noodle bar will be called Shanghai Alley Noodle Shack. Over the summer, café/bar hybrid Sherwood will debut in Victoria.