Published on : Wednesday, June 27, 2018
Out of 20 cities from all over the world, scorecard ranked Vancouver at No. 7, based on 39 different metrics like average office rent, unemployment rate and labor productivity. Nevertheless, the city got a D grade in terms of tourism indicators like the total number of international visitors and the number of visitors at international-association conventions.
When it came to the number of flight destinations from the key airports of the region, Vancouver positioned 14th – a C grade. Vancouver got yet another C grade for its cruise ship calls and its number, ranking ninth.
While comparing how the city stacks up against global competition offers a healthy reality check that should ignite Vancouver tourism in terms of improvements by finishing up significant infrastructure projects that have been in limbo for years. For instance, the Vancouver Art Gallery’s (VAG) long-proposed move to a new facility on the southern two-thirds of the block bounded by Cambie, Dunsmuir, Beatty and Georgia streets.
B.C. Minister of Tourism, Arts and Culture Lisa Beare declared on June 17 $6 million to assist in funding a $30 million upgrade along with expansion at the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria. However, she had no cash for an expanded VAG. Beare informed Business in Vancouver earlier this year that the Vancouver gallery requires to step up its independent fundraising efforts.
“The B.C. government is encouraging the VAG to demonstrate greater private donation support,” she said in January. “The current funding request must be considered within the context of other pressing government priorities.”