Tourism Research

Last updated on February 26, 2026

This page presents summary statistics that describe the importance of the tourism sector in British Columbia. It also provides sources for additional tourism data and statistics.

Value of tourism

Tourism is one of B.C.'s most dynamic industries and a key driver for the provincial economy. Despite consisting mainly of small businesses, the tourism sector is one of the largest employers in B.C., significantly contributing to economic growth and community well-being.

The 2024 economic value of tourism to jobs, businesses and the provincial economy included the following:

Tourism businesses provided over 113,000 direct jobs, up 1.5% from 2023, and when indirect and induced jobs are included that number increases to almost 163,000 full-time jobs.
The tourism industry paid $5 billion in wages and salaries, 6.4% higher than 2023.
There were 16,925 tourism businesses in operation, a slight 0.4% increase from 2023.
Tourism generated $23 billion in gross revenue, 4.2% higher than 2023.
The sector contributed nearly $8 billion (2017$) to the provincial gross domestic product (GDP), 4.5% higher than 2023. This contribution was more than forestry and logging ($1.6 billion), agriculture and fishing ($3 billion), mining ($4.9 billion), and oil and gas ($5.2 billion) sectors.

Tourism also has value for communities across B.C.:

Most tourism businesses (92%) are small businesses (employing less than 50 employees) that directly contribute to their local community economies.
Nearly half (40%) of tourism businesses in the province are located outside the Vancouver, Coast and Mountains Tourism Region. The Vancouver Island (16%) and Thompson Okanagan (12%) Tourism Regions have the most tourism businesses outside the Lower Mainland.

For a snapshot graphic of the 2024 Value of Tourism please visit Destination BC's website here.

To download updated tourism data files, visit the BC Stats Data Catalogue here.

This section will provide you with links to research on various aspects of the tourism industry. Use it to inform your business plans, tourism development projects and marketing activities.

Destination BC tourism research and statistics

Destination BC is industry's primary source for tourism data and statistics. Explore their latest statistical reports on:

Tourism industry performance

Industry Performance includes current and historical tourism indicators for Canada, B.C., the six tourism regions of B.C., and some municipal information.
- The Tourism I ndustry Dashboard comprises key tourism statistics including customs entries data, provincial room revenue, commercial restaurant receipts, provincial and regional occupancy and average daily room rates, and data related to visitor centres, regional airports, ferries, and conference centres. Tables in the Dashboard are updated monthly.
- The International Visitor Arrivals publication summarizes customs entries data to B.C. and Canada from selected markets of origin. The International Visitor Arrivals includes information by month and year to-date.

Sustainability and climate adaptation data framework

Project three of the B.C. Tourism Climate Resiliency Initiative is focused on developing and implementing a sustainability and climate adaptation data framework that encourages industry alignment with policies and practices, common metrics, and data collection methods in the areas of sustainability and climate adaptation.