B.C. says World Cup is lifting the economy as some businesses see mixed results

The B.C. government says hosting FIFA World Cup matches in Vancouver is giving the local economy a boost, especially for bars, restaurants and retailers near fan areas. Tourism Minister Anne Kang said the tournament has increased foot traffic and spending, with some businesses reporting sales gains of up to 40 per cent. But the impact has not been even across the city. Some restaurants outside the busiest zones say they have had to run special promotions to attract customers, while Granville Island merchants say the expected surge in spending has not materialized. A local artist there described recent business as unusually quiet. Hotels are also reporting softer demand than expected. Some operators say occupancy is below normal for this time of year, with budget and luxury properties both seeing weaker bookings. Industry groups say a mix of high costs, travel patterns and the tournament’s spread across multiple countries may be reducing the local effect. The province says the World Cup is part of a longerterm tourism strategy and argues the economic benefits will continue after the tournament ends.