The Lions may have been sipping from the Grey Cup, but local businesses were taking gulps out of the golden chalice in November.
The B.C. Lions and Tourism Vancouver announced Tuesday that the 99th Grey Cup at BC Place last year generated “in excess” of $ 118 million in economic impact.
The Canadian Football League championship game and weeklong festival brought in 59,005 overnight visitors from outside the Metro Vancouver region during a month that’s traditionally a slow one for tourism.
“It was a tremendous boost to the local economy, no question,” said Tourism Vancouver vice-president Walt Judas. “It’s a big bonus for us.”
Out-of-town visitors made up 33 per cent of the fans that came out for the game and Raise the Roof Festival and spent $ 42.8 million over the four days that were measured.
Signature events like the Grey Cup are a big deal for tourism in particular and there’s more to come, according to Judas.
While the Grey Cup is a national affair, Judas says the Olympics have cemented the city’s reputation as a world-class event host.
The city recently hosted the CONCACAF women’s soccer Olympic qualifiers and Davis Cup tennis event.
Vancouver will also be one of the host cities for the 2015 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
“A lot of international sporting organizations seek us out,” said Judas. “And when we go to them, they’re familiar with Vancouver and recognize its ability to stage these events.”
According to the report released Tuesday, the Grey Cup employed 826 people.
Out-of-town visitors stayed in Vancouver for an average of 4.15 days and they spent an average of $ 726.04.
Local news from metronews.ca/vancouver
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