Tourism Industry Volunteers Spring Clean Ahead of 2019 Tourism Week

May 24, 2019

To recognize the value that travel brings to locals, communities and the economy, Tourism Vancouver and its 1000+ member organizations will be celebrating Tourism Week— May 26 to June 2, 2019. The national tourism industry contributes $102 billion to the economy and makes up 2% of Canada’s GDP. (Source: Tourism Industry Association of Canada)

In preparation for Tourism Week, 130+ volunteers from member businesses geared up for Tourism Vancouver’s annual Neighbourhood Clean Up Party to keep the streets clean and welcoming for visitors and locals alike. The garbage collected by the group was picked up by the City of Vancouver for proper disposal and the ‘cigarette butt bags’ went to a pilot mushroom recycling program at UBC.

“Tourism Vancouver supports local initiatives that are important to the well-being of the community, while remaining an important and positive force for the city’s economy” said Ty Speer, Tourism Vancouver’s president and CEO. “Our flourishing industry creates wealth and good jobs for people living here, and we look to government to deepen their investment in our sector to grow our destination.”

A 2018 survey conducted by Insights West for Tourism Vancouver found that:

  • 97% of Vancouver residents feel that the tourism industry is important to the local economy
  • 91% of Vancouver residents feel that the tourism industry had a positive impact on residents
  • 96% of Vancouver residents feel that the tourism industry provides jobs

Tourism Vancouver encourages residents and tourism businesses to share stories about the power of tourism to spread the word about why #BCTourismMatters.

About Tourism Week

Tourism Week is a national, grassroots initiative that brings attention to the economic opportunity available to Canada, and British Columbia, through travel and tourism. Tourism Week aligns tourism organizations, businesses and other partners from across the country and around BC over a common vision: a tourism sector unencumbered by policies and recognized for its contribution to the Canadian economy.

About the Neighbourhood Cleanup Party

Neighbourhood Cleanup Parties are City-supported litter pickup events. The program encourages residents to join or host a neighbourhood cleanup, and the City will provide garbage bags, gloves and other cleanup tools, and free pick up of litter collected.