Tourism in BC: New 2024 Data Highlights a Growing Economic Engine and Lasting Community Impact
Destination BC has released updated 2024 data through its Value of Tourism snapshot, highlighting tourism’s continued strength as one of BC’s most dynamic industries and a vital engine for economic growth and opportunity across the province.
From bustling urban centres to rural and remote communities, tourism supports livelihoods, sustains small businesses, encourages cultural exchange, and delivers transformative experiences for residents and visitors alike. The latest data underscores tourism’s role as a sector that contributes to thriving communities and a powerful economic driver across the province.
A $23 Billion Industry Powering the Provincial Economy
In 2024, tourism generated $23 billion in revenue, up 4.2% from 2023. Tourism GDP reached nearly $8.0 billion in real (inflation-adjusted) terms, a 4.5% increase year over year.
Tourism continues to contribute more to provincial GDP than several traditional resource sectors, including forestry and logging ($1.6 billion), agriculture and fishing ($3.0 billion), mining ($4.9 billion), and oil and gas ($5.2 billion), in real GDP terms.
The majority of tourism revenue in 2024 was driven by:
- Food and beverage services: $6.4 billion
- Accommodation: $6.3 billion
- Transportation services: $5.7 billion
Supporting Jobs, Wages and Small Businesses Across BC
Tourism remains one of the province’s largest small business generators and employers. In 2024:
- Nearly 17,000 businesses directly provided services to visitors, up 0.4% from 2023.
- Tourism supported over 113,000 direct jobs, an increase of 1.5% year over year.
- When including indirect and induced employment, tourism supported nearly 163,000 full-time jobs, up 1.3%.
- Direct wages reached $5.0 billion, a 6.4% increase from $4.7 billion in 2023.
These jobs span every region of the province, from guiding and outdoor recreation to hospitality, transportation, arts, and culture. For many communities, tourism is a cornerstone industry that creates meaningful employment opportunities, supports entrepreneurship, and helps sustain vibrant streets and local economies.
More Than an Industry: Building Thriving Communities
Beyond the economic metrics, tourism delivers broad social and cultural value.
As a world-class destination, BC offers transformative experiences rooted in nature, culture, and community. Tourism creates opportunities for residents and visitors to connect across cultures and perspectives, share stories, celebrate local heritage, and deepen understanding of the diverse communities and individuals that make up the province.
Tourism also helps sustain amenities and experiences that residents value – from restaurants and festivals to recreation infrastructure and transportation services – enhancing quality of life across BC.
As a sunrise industry with long-term growth potential, tourism continues to demonstrate resilience and adaptability. The 2024 results reflect strong international demand, stable sector-wide performance and the enduring appeal of BC as a destination of choice.
The updated 2024 Value of Tourism snapshot reinforces tourism’s role as a foundational sector in BC’s economy – one that drives investment, supports small businesses, sustains employment, and strengthens communities province-wide.
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