Ian Tostensen is convinced that when Vancouver’s Celebration of Light kicks off on Saturday night, it will benefit restaurants in the downtown core and the wider local tourism industry in the city.
Tostensen is the CEO of the BC Restaurant and Food Services Association.
“Anytime you put that many people in downtown Vancouver, from a business point of view, it is spectacular,” said Tostensen.
A big crowd is expected this weekend to watch the dazzling display of fireworks.
Last year’s event attracted around 400,000 people, boosting sales in the hospitality industry as well.
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“There are so many little independent businesses in that area of the town, up and down Denman Street and Robson Street, and they’re going to greatly benefit from this, because they are right in the heart of the action, and people will go there beforehand,” Tostensen explained.
He adds that the Celebration of Light and other events encourage people to get out and spend some money, despite tariff threats and other economic unpredictability.
“You can still have fun and not spend a lot of money,” Tostensen said.
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“I think that we’re seeing that people are adapting to this economic uncertainty we are in.”
This year’s Celebration of Light will take place over the evenings of Saturday, July 19, Wednesday, July 23, and Saturday, July 26. Road closures and traffic restrictions will be in place starting at 5 p.m. each night.
It is recommended to take transit, as TransLink is increasing service on nights when the fireworks are happening.
