Post-Olympic tourism growth has been slow
Posted February 17, 2013 9:57 am.
This article is more than 5 years old.
VANCOUVER (NEWS1130) – Three years ago Vancouver was hosting the Olympics.
There were a lot of promises made, like a boost in tourism dollars — but it turns out — that didn’t quite happen.
Walt Judas with Tourism Vancouver says we’re doing better than other host cities have post-Games, but the growth has been slow.
He says the fact we hosted the Olympics is part of their sales pitch, and clients are always reminded about that.
“Now you have a rebuilt BC Place stadium, the convention centre, the Richmond Oval. That’s all part of the experience that people can still see those venues.”
As a result, we have booked a record number of conventions.
He adds the Games have also helped the city nail down world-class sporting events like the Davis Cup and Grey Cup.
“We’re starting to see modest growth, one or two points annually, in terms of over night visitors and direct visitor spending, the Olympic year being the strongest of the last five.”
