More than 300 cruise ships expected to dock in Victoria in 2023
The Greater Victoria Harbour Authority has released its draft cruise ship schedule for 2023, which could see a record-breaking number of cruises arrive in the city.
The draft schedule estimates that 330 ships will come to Victoria between April and October, bringing with them an estimated 850,000 passengers.
Last year, the GVHA said a record-setting 329 ships docked in Victoria after a three-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Those ships brought 715,000 passengers to B.C.'s capital, including the city's nine-millionth cruise ship passenger.
The GVHA says the cruise industry is not only important for bringing tourists to the city, but inspires cruise passengers to return after their visit.
A survey commissioned by the harbour authority found that 53 per cent of respondents said they would return to Victoria within the next five years, and that 73 per cent of those respondents would also visit other areas of Vancouver Island.
Jeff Bray, the CEO of the Downtown Victoria Business Association, says the cruise industry also supports local workers during its peak season.
"From gelato and coffee shops to pubs and our amazing retail options, the money spent by cruise passengers support hundreds of jobs in our downtown core," he said in a release Thursday.
Looking forward, the GVHA says it's still working on developing shore power in Victoria and securing funding from the federal government to help launch those projects.
Shore power would allow visiting cruise ships to turn off their engines and plug into local electricity, which would lower emissions.
"As cruise tourism continues, so does our commitment to sustainability and the environment," said GVHA board chair Christine Willow.
"GVHA recently hired a sustainability manager who will evaluate and guide our sustainability efforts," she said.
The draft cruise ship schedule for the 2023 season can be found on the GVHA website.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
BREAKING Quebec judge orders bus driver to stand trial for 2023 daycare crash deaths
A judge has ordered a Quebec man to stand trial on charges of first-degree murder in the deaths of two children killed when a bus rammed into a Montreal-area daycare last year.
Sunshine list: These were the Ontario public sector's highest earners in 2023
Ontario released its annual sunshine list Thursday afternoon, noting that the largest year-over-year increases were in hospitals, municipalities, and post-secondary sectors.
Multiple bridges in Calgary shut down for police incident
Calgary police have shut down a number of bridges into and out of the downtown core as officers deal with a distraught individual.
Trudeau's latest pre-budget pledge targets millennial moms, vowing $1B in loans for more child-care spaces
The federal government is launching a new loan program to help child-care providers in Canada expand their spaces, and will be extending further student loan forgiveness and training options for early childhood educators, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Thursday.
Why some Christians are angry about Trump's 'God Bless the USA' Bible
Former U.S. President Donald Trump is officially selling a copy of the Bible themed to Lee Greenwood’s famous song, 'God Bless the USA.' But the concept of a Bible covered in the American flag has raised concern among religious circles.
Krispy Kreme doughnuts coming to McDonald's in U.S., but not Canada
Canadians will be missing out on a sweet new partnership between McDonald's and Krispy Kreme, which will see doughnuts available at McDonald's locations across the U.S. by the end of 2026.
Calgary officer charged after allegedly assaulting handcuffed man
A Calgary police officer has been charged after allegedly assaulting a handcuffed man two years ago.
Where is the worst place for allergy sufferers in Canada?
The spring allergy season has started early in many parts of Canada, with high levels of pollen in some cities already. Experts weigh in on which areas have it worse so far this season.
How do you navigate the social media minefield with your kids?
Growing fears about social media's harm have sparked lawsuits against social media companies from hundreds of school districts in the United States and now Canada. CTVNews.ca wants to know whether your children are addicted to social media or if you have concerns about their usage of platforms such as Facebook, Snapchat, TikTok and X.