Burnaby, the Metro Vancouver city often teased for being all malls and no vibes, recently had a “record-breaking” tourism year.
According to a new report from Tourism Burnaby, visitors to the city spent $990 million in 2023, supporting over 7,200 jobs and contributing hundreds of millions to B.C.’s economy.
That includes $250 million in wages and $208 million in taxes across federal, provincial, and municipal governments.
More than 1.3 million people visited Burnaby in 2023, including 953,500 domestic travellers and 339,900 international and U.S. visitors.
The most impacted sectors? Retail (49 per cent), food and beverage (23 per cent), transportation (13 per cent), accommodations (seven per cent), and arts, culture, and entertainment (five per cent).
Metrotown skyline, Burnaby, B.C. (Supplied)
Burnaby’s record-setting year isn’t just about dollars, it’s about what that money makes possible, explained Tourism Burnaby’s executive director, Chris Peters, in the news release.
“The role of tourism in Burnaby extends far beyond visits to the city; it supports our local economy, small businesses, and the vibrancy of the community,” said Peters.
“Tourists coming to Burnaby are helping us set the foundation for the next generation of our city, and we look forward to welcoming visitors in the coming months and years.”
That foundation includes everything from festivals and sporting events to clean energy conferences.
View this post on Instagram
According to the Burnaby Board of Trade, tourism is driving real momentum behind the city’s broader goals.
“Tourism is a key economic engine for Burnaby, supporting local businesses and advancing strategic initiatives that shape our city’s future,” said Angie Whitfield, the board’s CEO.
“One great example is the Burnaby Clean Energy Summit, which began as a half-day session and has expanded into a multi-day event thanks to our partnership with Tourism Burnaby. Initiatives like these not only draw international attention and investment but also reinforce Burnaby’s leadership in innovation and sustainability.”
Locals are still asking, “What do tourists actually do here?”
Despite the stats, some Burnaby residents remain skeptical of the city’s tourism appeal.
A Reddit thread reacting to Tourism Burnaby’s recent campaign, “Have you met our neighbour?” sparked jokes about Burnaby being more of a pit stop than a destination.
“Burnaby’s scenic roads to better tourist locations,” one user wrote.
“It’s a great place to live if you take advantage of what we have, but as a tourist destination, it’s literally dog poop,” another commented.
“There’s Metrotown. And then… more Metrotown.”
While some users pointed out natural attractions like Burnaby Mountain, Deer Lake, and Barnet Marine Park, others argued that most spots require a car and lack nightlife or cultural draws.
But businesses are feeling the visitor buzz
Some local businesses say they’ve noticed a genuine boost thanks to Tourism Burnaby-led initiatives.
“As a small business, welcoming visitors to our brewery is something we cherish,” said Ben Coli, owner and brewer at Dageraad Brewing, in the news release.
Spent a good chunk of today bottling this. We’re bottling more because all this fall and winter Brune will be available at 50 or 60 @bcliquorstores.
It wins awards. It tastes great. When was the last time you tried it? pic.twitter.com/n7IL8fOvR3
— Dageraad Brewing (@DageraadBeer) October 6, 2023
“Over the years, we have had the opportunity to collaborate with Tourism Burnaby to host long-table dinner events and seasonal activations to add to the visitor experience. These events have been attended by everyone from locals to visitors from across Canada and beyond.”
Burnaby may still have its critics, but with nearly a billion dollars in visitor spending and thousands of jobs tied to tourism, the numbers suggest people are definitely showing up, whether the locals believe it or not.
- You might also like:
- B.C. sea cucumber mastermind slapped with $1M fine and hefty jail time
- B.C. university named among world's best for innovation
- City of Surrey to scrap rezonings for new low-rise non-market rental housing projects
Want to stay on top of all things Vancouver? Follow us on X