Another record-breaking season for the cruise liner industry in British Columbia

After facing a halt during the peak of COVID-19 restrictions, British Columbia's cruise ship industry is experiencing a remarkable resurgence.

The 2024 season, which concludes on October 29, is shaping up to be another record-breaking year, according to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority (VFPA).

From March 11 to October 29, the Canada Place terminal has hosted 327 cruise calls and welcomed 1.32 million passengers, surpassing last year's passenger record by 80,000.

Chance McKee, the authority’s Trade Development Representative, noted that Canada Place experienced six of its top 10 busiest days ever, including the second busiest day on April 29, when 20,000 cruise passengers passed through the terminal.

The economic impact of this influx is substantial, with cruise lines, passengers, and crew contributing about $1.1 billion to the local economy each year. On average, each cruise passenger spends approximately $450 on local tours, attractions, hotels, and restaurants.

Additionally, cruise lines spend around $660 million annually on local goods and services when docked at Canada Place, covering essentials like provisions and supplies from local vendors.

Nationally, the cruise industry is estimated to inject about $3.3 billion into the Canadian economy each year, with every ship docking at Canada Place contributing roughly $3 million to the local economy.

McKee attributes the increase in passengers to a resurgence of travel habits following the pandemic, particularly within the Alaska cruise market, with Vancouver being a premier port for these cruises.

The industry not only boosts the economy but also sustains about 17,200 jobs across Canada. Looking forward, McKee anticipates that cruise calls and passenger levels for 2025 and 2026 will align with the positive trends observed in 2023 and 2024.