The hauntingly beautiful, yet dangerous, world of ‘The Last of Us’ is once again coming to life in Canada. Production has officially commenced in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the highly anticipated third season of the HBO hit series. For the next nine months, the sprawling metropolis and its surrounding natural landscapes will be transformed into the post-apocalyptic United States, promising a significant impact on both the local economy and global travel trends.
From Alberta to British Columbia: Canada’s Starring Role
While Season 1 was famously filmed in Alberta, showcasing the stark beauty of locations around Calgary and Edmonton, the move to Vancouver for subsequent seasons solidifies Canada’s role as the definitive backdrop for the acclaimed series. Vancouver, often dubbed “Hollywood North,” has long been a go-to location for major film and television productions due to its versatile scenery, experienced crews, and attractive tax incentives.
The city’s unique geography offers producers a rich palette to work with—from dense, moody rainforests that can stand in for the overgrown wilds of the Pacific Northwest, to gritty urban alleys and modern glass towers that can be artfully distressed to depict a civilization in decay. This production flexibility is crucial for a series like ‘The Last of Us’, which navigates diverse and desolate environments.
The Economic Boom of a Blockbuster Production
The arrival of a production of this scale is a monumental economic event. The initial season injected an estimated CAD $141 million into Alberta’s economy, creating hundreds of jobs and boosting local businesses from hospitality to construction. A similar, if not greater, economic windfall is anticipated for British Columbia over the nine-month filming schedule of Season 3.
This long-term presence translates to sustained business for hotels, catering services, equipment rental companies, and local artisans. It also provides stable employment for a large contingent of local film industry professionals. The economic ripple effect is a powerful reminder of how the entertainment industry can be a major driver of regional prosperity.
The Future of “Set-Jetting” in Vancouver
For international travelers and fans of the series, this news signals the emergence of new must-visit destinations. The phenomenon of “set-jetting”—where tourists travel to visit the filming locations of their favorite movies and TV shows—is expected to bring a new wave of visitors to Vancouver.
As scenes from the new season air, fans will undoubtedly begin mapping the real-world locations where key moments were filmed. Areas within Metro Vancouver are poised to become pilgrimage sites, just as locations in Croatia and Northern Ireland did for ‘Game of Thrones’ fans. We can anticipate fan-created walking tours and a surge of social media posts geotagged to specific filming spots, whether it be a recognizable downtown street or a secluded park.
This sustained global attention will not only boost tourism in the short term but also build a long-lasting legacy, embedding Vancouver into the cultural fabric of one of this decade’s most celebrated television series. As filming progresses, the world will be watching not just for glimpses of the show’s stars, but also for the stunning Canadian landscapes that have become a character in their own right.
