Insight into 2023

Tourism, and particularly the cruise industry, plays a key role in Greater Victoria’s economy. In October 2024, Destination Greater Victoria (DGV) published an Economic Impact Report, which explored how visitor spending on food, shopping, accommodations, transportation, and attractions contributed to jobs, wages, and economic output in the Greater Victoria region.

The report looked at 2023, which was a record year for cruise at the Breakwater District at Odgen Point with 326 ship calls and 970,000 passengers. Read DGV’s press release.

Impact from Tourism

  • Nearly 5 million visitors contributed $1.92 billion to the local economy through accommodations, dining, transportation, and attractions.
  • Tourism directly supported 17,960 jobs and contributed to a total of 25,000 jobs when accounting for indirect and induced impacts.
  • Tourism generated $2 billion in GDP and $3.5 billion in total economic output across British Columbia.
  • Tourism generated $510 million in tax revenue for federal, provincial, and local governments.

Impact from Cruise

  • In 2023, 702,900 cruise passengers and 135,500 crew spent $214 million, sustaining 1,390 jobs and contributing $109 million in GDP.
  • Of that $214 million, cruise line operating expenditures (on transportation and storage, travel agent commissions, machinery and equipment etc) amounted to $124 million.
  • The average cruise passenger spent $100 per visit.
  • The average cruise crew member spent $140 per visit.
  • Cruise visitors, passengers and crew combined, contributed $23 million in spending, comprising $5% of total tax revenue.

In 2024, Victoria welcomed 316 cruise ship calls and approximately 970,000 passengers. It remains Canada’s busiest port for cruise ship calls. In 2025, GVHA expects 320 calls from cruise vessels.