How Many Tourists Visit Vancouver Each Year? [Vancouver Tourism Statistics]

Vancouver is widely regarded as one of North America’s most livable cities — combining mountains, ocean, and urban culture.

The city and surrounding region (“Vancouver, Coast & Mountains”) welcomed tens of millions of visitors and handled over 26 million air passengers in 2024 through Vancouver International Airport.

The tourism economy is recovering strongly and pivoting toward higher-spend segments, with business travel and international visitors gradually returning.

Key Stats: Vancouver Tourism

• Over 1 million overnight visitors per month in peak 2023 months — Vancouver’s tourism volume has surged, especially in the busier season.
• CA $22.1 billion in tourism revenue for British Columbia in 2023 — the region around Vancouver is a major economic engine for the province through travel.
• More than 125,700 jobs supported by tourism in 2023 — the industry is a key employer in the Vancouver-area economy.
• Around 800,000 cruise passengers each year pass through Vancouver’s port — the city is an important gateway for cruise tourism.
• Meetings & conferences generate CA $1.6 billion+ in visitor spending — business tourism plays a big role alongside leisure travel.
• Tourism in earlier data contributed around US $4.8 billion and supported 70,000+ jobs — a reminder of the scale and long-standing significance of travel to Vancouver.

How Many Tourists Visit Vancouver Each Year?

In the region in 2024, the Vancouver International Airport served over 26 million passengers, underscoring the volume of inbound/outbound travel.

While exact annual visitor counts for Vancouver city alone are harder to isolate, regional profiles indicate strong tourism volumes in the broader area.

How Many Tourists Visit Vancouver Each Day?

Based on airport passenger volumes (>26 million in 2024), Vancouver’s region handles on average upwards of ~70,000 passenger movements per day (arrivals + departures).

Actual leisure-visitor arrivals (overnight stays) would be somewhat lower given departures, same-day traffic, and domestic vs international splits.

How Much Do Visitors Spend in Vancouver / British Columbia?

Tourism spending across Canada reached ~$6.4 billion by non-residents in Q4 2024.

For the Vancouver/BC region, typical reports show the visitor economy is worth over CAD $8.4 billion in the metro region (according to Destination Vancouver).

This indicates that Vancouver plays a significant part of British Columbia’s tourism economy, with spending including accommodation, dining, events and business travel.

Which Countries or Markets Visit Vancouver the Most?

Major inbound markets for Vancouver/BC include the U.S., Australia, China, the U.K., and various Asian-Pacific markets.

Detailed up-to-date stats specific to Vancouver city were not found in open data sets for 2024, but British Columbia’s monthly data show domestic and short-haul short trips are strong within Canada.

What Are the Most Visited Attractions in Vancouver?

Here are key attractions in and around Vancouver:

(Note: These are best available approximate figures; local attraction-specific data may vary.)

When Is the Best Time to Visit Vancouver?

Tourism in Vancouver is reasonably year-round, but certain seasons stand out.

Best time for outdoor sightseeing and coastal conditions is June to early September, though crowding and hotel costs may be higher.

What Are the Biggest Events Attracting Tourists to Vancouver?

Major events that help drive tourism:

• Vancouver International Film Festival (VIFF)
• Celebration of Light – International fireworks competition
• Circle Grand Prix (IndyCar) / sporting events
• Whistler ski season linked with Vancouver stays
• Business / MICE conventions at Vancouver Convention Centre

While specific visitor numbers per event vary, these events contribute significantly to high-spend tourism and off‐peak extensions.

How Much Money Does Vancouver’s Tourism Make?

In Canada overall, international tourism spending rose 8.0% in 2024 and reached 92.3% of 2019 levels.

For the Vancouver/Coast & Mountains region, the metro economy sees spending of CAD $8.4 billion+ (Destination Vancouver).

Tourism also supports tens of thousands of jobs in Metro Vancouver and British Columbia broadly.

How Busy Are Vancouver Hotels?

According to British Columbia accommodation summaries:

• Metro Vancouver hotel room supply ~44,000 rooms (per Visit Victoria data)
• Occupancy trends 2024/2025 show recovery but some lag compared to 2019 levels. (e.g., Q1 2024 domestic spending 121% of 2019, international 97% of 2019)
  This suggests hotel occupancy in Vancouver is strong, but may vary by segment (business vs leisure).

Which Neighborhoods in Vancouver Are Most Popular With Tourists?

Tourists often stay or spend time in:

• Downtown & West End – proximity to waterfront, Stanley Park, shopping
• Yaletown & Coal Harbour – upscale dining & marina views
• Granville Island – cultural/food experience
• Kitsilano & False Creek – beaches and relaxed neighbourhood vibe
• Gastown & Chinatown – historic and craft-beer scene

FAQ – Vancouver Tourism Insights

Sources

1. Destination Vancouver – Research & Insights — Metro Vancouver Visitor Economy Overview
2. Destination BC – Vancouver, Coast & Mountains Regional Profile — Regional tourism profile (includes airport, cruise, transport data)
3. Statistics Canada – The Daily: National Tourism Indicators Q4 2024 — Canada tourism spending & jobs data
4. Tourism Data Collective – Quarterly Tourism Snapshot Q1 2024 — Accommodation & spending recovery data
5. KRTourism – January-May 2024 BC Domestic Visit Data — Domestic visitation trends to BC