Key Sectors

Situated at the east end of the lush Fraser Valley, Hope offers many amenities of a large centre, while at the same time preserving the lifestyle of a small mountain community. Previously, Hope was a resource‐focused community relying on forestry, transportation, and mining. Now, Hope is transitioning to a service‐based economy and provides an inviting atmosphere for young families and remote workers to relocate while fostering plenty of opportunities for outdoor recreation and tourism. Hope, B.C. is looking to focus on specific key sectors to continue growing the local economy.

Transportation

Hope is conveniently located less than two hours from Metro Vancouver and is a major transportation junction connecting highways 1, 3, 5, and 7. Our community is often referred to as the ‘Gateway to the Interior’ and sees substantial amounts of traffic each year.  Our proximity to various lower mainland and interior markets places us at the strategic centre for supply chain distribution and fabrication. Businesses can also easily access rail, seaports, airports, and the U.S.A. border within hours. Paired with the Fraser Valley’s most affordable commercial and industrial properties, Hope is ideally situated for businesses in the transportation industry.

Agriculture

Over 300 hectares (741 acres) of land in Hope, B.C. is designated for agricultural use under the provisions of the provincial Agricultural Land Reserve (ALR). Local agriculture contributes to the District’s economy, diversity, and identity. Agricultural land also provides an opportunity for fresh, healthy food close to home. Most agricultural properties in Hope are semi-actively used for livestock or soil-based crops. Encouraging local food culture and healthier lifestyles is directly linked to supporting urban agriculture in the District of Hope’s Official Community Plan.

Accommodation

The Hope, Cascades & Canyons tourism region is a highly visited tourist destination. We are known not only for the natural beauty that surrounds the area, but for our ability to host large events throughout the year which attract visitors from all over the world. This includes Hope Brigade Days, the International Chainsaw Carving Competition, The Classic Car show, Mini Stock Derby’s, and more.  One of our top two priorities identified in our Five-Year Tourism Business Plan (link) is to enhance our ability to host large sports events. With the capacity and infrastructure now in place to support such an initiative, Hope, B.C. is actively seeking the investment of a large-scale Hotel & Conference Centre that has the ability to provide ample accommodation. Hope, Cascades & Canyons started the collection of the Municipal & Regional District Tax (MRDT) in 2019, a 2% tax that is applied to short-term accommodations and is dedicated to marketing our tourism region as an overnight destination.

Tourism Activity Providers

& Outdoor Recreation

Hope’s key economic driver is undoubtedly tourism. This key driver continues to grow every year and is managed by Hope, Cascades & Canyons Tourism within the AdvantageHOPE agency. On average, our community welcomes more than 55,000 visitors per year. The success of tourism in our community is also attributed to our tourism activity providers & recreation businesses. With the available land base and beautiful scenic views, this makes Hope a dream location for tourism activity providers.

Downtown Hope Revitalization

Hope’s downtown core has been featured in multiple films and is a great place for retail, restaurants, and other service-based businesses.  Our community is well known for its charming and authentic Downtown Wallace Street. This unique, attractive, and walkable core is one of Hope’s most valuable assets, shaping the community’s identity, serving residents, and attracting both residents and visitors. Downtown Hope is intended to remain the most important commercial centre for the District and can be strengthened further with the addition of more shops, services, and housing within walking distance. 

Professional Services

As Hope, B.C. continues to grow in population, so does the demand for professional services. These services can include but are not limited to: legal, accounting, architectural, engineering, management, scientific, consulting, advertising, and other professional services.

Destination Development

Destination development is the strategic planning and advancement of identified areas in our region that support the development of Hope, Cascades & Canyons as a desirable destination for travellers, with a sole focus on increasing tourism. By providing compelling experiences, quality infrastructure, and red-carpet service, we can entice repeat visitation. Hope is a rapidly growing tourism destination, well-known for its awe-inspiring views and ample outdoor activities.

As we continue to enhance the development of Hope, Cascades & Canyons, we also continue to play an active role on multiple destination development steering committees and destination management councils throughout the Fraser Valley and Fraser Canyon, which helps to support our goal to become a tourism industry leader.