This November, we were thrilled to kick off the holiday season with a curated tour for influencers highlighting spots within our district.

Why Influencer Tours Matter

The Holiday Influencer Tour was designed to inspire content that highlights downtown Vancouver’s unique offerings. Downtown Van hosts these tours 3-4 times a year, free of charge for their member businesses. While collaborating with influencers can often be an expensive endeavour,  these curated tours provide a cost-effective way to build a strong online presence. By participating in the tour, local businesses can directly engage with content creators who will share their stories with thousands of followers—helping to create authentic connections and boost brand visibility.

If you’re a Downtown Van member, learn more about these tours and register your interest here.

Dyson

We started off the experience at Dyson in CF Pacific Centre for a preview of their holiday and new product lineup, a perfect opportunity to see the products in action for gift shopping. The influencers participated in engaging demos of hair tools, vacuums, and air purifiers, including the Hushjet Purifier Compact HJ10. To make the experience even more enjoyable, they sipped on drinks by Paragon Tea while exploring the collection.

See Dyson’s latest products in action at 701 W Georgia St or visit them online.

Holt Renfrew

Next, the group enjoyed a private tour of Holt Renfrew, exploring all three floors filled with designer treasures, an elevated beauty section featuring K-beauty favourites, and an assortment of Jellycats and Mastermind Toys. Each level revealed something new, from luxury fashion to fun gifts, making it easy to find something for everyone on your list. The entire store has transformed into a true holiday wonderland, offering a magical shopping experience and endless inspiration for the perfect seasonal gifts.

Explore Holt Renfrew this season at 737 Dunsmuir St or see their selection online.

Scentrique

Our visit included a special session with a fragrance consultant who walked us through tailored recommendations and an array of scent collections, ultimately selecting a beautiful fragrance from Bibliothèque for us to bring home. Along the way, we were introduced to new arrivals, explored what’s trending in the fragrance world, and discovered the brands that truly shape their niche portfolio. The experience offered a deeper appreciation for craftsmanship, individual scent perception, and the evolving modern perfumery.

Find Scentrique at 466 Granville St to take home a scent you’ll love.

Hydra Estiatorio & Wine Bar

Lastly, we ended this evening with a wonderful dinner at Hydra Estiatorio & Wine Bar, a restaurant known for its vibrant Mediterranean food and seafood. An unforgettable spread featuring a stunning Seafood Tower, the signature Hydra Special, rich Lobster Pasta, perfectly grilled Lamb Chops, and the iconic flaming Saganaki, paired beautifully with festive alcoholic and non-alcoholic cocktails.

Grab a table at Hydra Estiatorio & Wine Bar at 475 Howe St and see their menu here.

What’s next?

These Influencer Tours are an exciting way to shine a spotlight on local businesses. By sharing their experiences on social media, influencers help bring new visitors to our streets and showcase everything that makes downtown Vancouver a must-visit destination this holiday season. We look forward to showcasing more of the amazing businesses within our district.