Vancouver tourism industry sees rebound but not back to pre-pandemic levels

Hard hit by COVID, B.C.’s tourism industry is finally seeing a summer rebound, as most pandemic restrictions are lifted in the province.

It’s what many businesses have spent two years waiting for.

Soheila Bakochi, manager of Artina’s Jewellery says it’s good to see the streets busy again.

“It’s nice to see the people walking with luggage around and you can see it, the traffic, and when you see it’s hard to walk in the sidewalk because lots of people there, it feels really good,” said Bakochi.

Artina’s Jewellery is in Gastown, an area particularly impacted by the pandemic because of the cruise ship ban.

Bakochi says about 95 per cent of her customers are tourists, many of whom are happy to be back.

Hillary and Peter, two visiting tourists, have waited two years to come to Vancouver.

“This is to celebrate our two-year – late — 50th wedding anniversary and Canada has always been on our wish list,” Peter said.

“It’s exciting when you get off and you don’t lose your luggage, which we did, but never mind, we’re here,” Hillary added.

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The Tourism Industry Association of B.C. says about 85 per cent of Vancouver hotels in the downtown were occupied for the month of June but many businesses are still not where they were pre-pandemic.

Walt Judas, CEO, Tourism Industry of BC, says several factors are at play.

“We aren’t seeing those large volumes from international destinations just yet. We have some barriers to overcome, including a reduction in flights, the ArriveCan app, certainly random testing,” Judas said.

Many businesses, including hotels, are still struggling to find workers.

“We have many, many hotels that literally do not have the number of people they need to service the rooms and have therefore capped their occupancy,” said Ingrid Jarret, president and CEO, B.C. Hotel Association.

Judas echoed this point, saying the lack of staff is hurting the industry.

“We don’t have the staff that we need to work at all of the various businesses within the visitor economy and so that is really preventing many operators from fully opening or extending their hours,” explained Judas.

Those in the sector are also concerned about what the fall will bring, with the talk of a possible recession and yet another COVID wave.

But the Tourism Industry of BC says currently, all signs point to a strong finish to the summer season.