‘Utter disappointment’: Vancouver tourists increasingly noticing street disorder, open drug use

Nearly three months after the B.C. government announced a major program to boost tourism, Destination Vancouver says visitors are increasingly commenting on street disorder, open drug use, aggressive behaviour, and personal safety concerns in the city’s downtown core. Unveiled in March, the province’s Look West strategy aims to double visitor spending to $48 billion by 2036. According to a government news release, B.C.’s Tourism Sector Action Plan is built on five pillars: marketing the province as a top-tier destination, improving access through expanded air services and provincial corridors,…