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June 2008 |  |
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| WHISTLER MOUNTAINEER TRAIN AN IDEAL COMPLEMENT TO ALASKAN CRUISE | |||||||
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The Whistler Mountaineer, Rocky Mountaineer's tourist train that launched just two years ago, is up and running for the summer. The three-hour rail journey not only offers a terrific way to travel alongside scenic shoreline, waterfalls and mountains, it also provides visitors the chance to visit the four-season resort town of Whistler. The trip is ideal for pre- and post- Alaska cruise excursions. For the 2008 cruise season, there are two packages specifically for cruise visitors. The "Pre-Cruise Escape" and "Post-Cruise Escape" are two nights/three days in length and include rail and motor coach transportation to and from Whistler (including cruise terminal transfer in Vancouver and luggage handling) plus two nights accommodation. Prices begin at $459. www.whistlermountaineer.com |
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| TOURISM VANCOUVER CASE STUDY IN NEW BOOK ON BRAND STRATEGY | |||||||
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Tourism Vancouver's brand strategy is featured as a case study in a new book called BrandPromise by renowned brand building expert Duane Knapp. The book outlines how genuine brands, like Tourism Vancouver, achieve success by crafting a brand promise that represents an organization's commitment to its customers, visitors and influencers. According to Knapp, "Tourism Vancouver's strategy for its destination represents a 'best professional practice' example for community brands everywhere." Tourism Vancouver's updated brand was launched in 2004 and has been well received in the marketplace. The Anholt City Brands Index for 2007 ranked Vancouver eighth among the top 10 city brands in the world. The essence of Tourism Vancouver's brand promise is to "exceed visitors' expectations and deliver superior value within a spectacular destination that is safe, exciting and welcoming to everyone". www.brandpromise.com |
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| SUMMER GIRLFRIEND GETAWAYS IN VANCOUVER | |||||||
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Whether it's a stagette, a birthday or a special weekend with mom - girls are leaving the boys at home and flocking to Vancouver in droves to enjoy these great girlfriend getaways.
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| VANCOUVER TRIATHLON WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BEGIN JUNE 5 | |||||||
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Come out and cheer for the athletes from your home country at the Triathlon World Championships taking place in and around Vancouver's English Bay from June 5 to 8. The race begins with an ocean swim, followed by a 40-kilometre bike, and a 10-kilometre run around Stanley Park. The event is very well set up for spectators and will feature the world's best triathletes in competition. This event is also the final Olympic qualifier for Canadian athletes to earn selection to the Canadian team for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Summer Games and four Olympic spots (two men and two women) are at stake. This will be the final event in ITU's 24-month Olympic qualification period, which began May 1, 2006. The event features a $250,000 prize purse equal for elite men and women. An estimated 2,600 athletes from 45 countries will be competing. www.triathlonvancouver.com |
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| MOTHER NATURE'S STAIRMASTER | |||||||
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Hikers rejoice! Vancouver's famous "Grouse Grind" trail (only 15 minutes from downtown Vancouver) opens in late spring or early summer. This popular 2.9 km (1.8 mile) trail, commonly referred to by locals as "Mother Nature's Stairmaster," climbs to the top of Grouse Mountain, overlooking Vancouver. Over 110,000 hikers per year take on the challenge of the rugged terrain and steep climb. By the time you reach the plateau, your ascent will have gained 853 meters (2,800 feet) - one and a half times the height of Toronto's CN Tower! Average completion time is usually 1.5 hours, with the fastest completion time just over 26 minutes. The best part is that once you reach the top, you can have a beer at Altitudes Bistro, enjoy 360 views of Vancouver, and then take the tram back down for just $5. The Grouse Grind is a great activity for adventurous groups. Those not up to the challenge can take the Skyride up, and meet their group at the top. www.grousemountain.com |
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| BLUE WATER CAFE NAMED ON ROBB REPORT'S 100 FAVOURITE RESTAURANTS WORLDWIDE | |||||||
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In the May issue of Robb Report, Vancouver's Blue Water Cafe is listed among an elite group of 100 favourite restaurants worldwide. It is one of only two Canadian restaurants mentioned, positioning it alongside gastronomic greats such as Alain Ducasse's Beige in Tokyo, Grant Achatz's Alinea in Chicago, The French Laundry in California, and Le Gavroche in London. Blue Water Cafe is especially lauded for their extensive wine collection carefully compiled by wine director Andrea Vescovi, and the magazine notes the many sakes on the list. "But the head-turning choice," the Robb Report writes, "is the Blue Water Tower: three tiers of iced fish, shellfish and samplings," a salute to the combined talents of executive chef Frank Pabst and "sushi master" Yoshihiro Tabo. www.bluewatercafe.net |
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| THE LISTEL HOTEL GOES SOLAR | |||||||
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The Listel Hotel is the first hotel in Vancouver to install a cutting-edge renewable energy system. The hotel has partnered with BC-based renewable energy leader Swiss Solar Tech and is reducing its carbon footprint by installing solar panels and a highly efficient heat recovery system. The hotel expects to reduce its carbon gas emissions by 170 tons annually. The Listel Hotel is known as "Vancouver's most art-full hotel" and one of the city's most well-appointed boutique hotels. Its other green initiatives include a comprehensive recycling program; composting; various water, energy reduction and air quality programs; a towel and sheet reuse program; bulk amenities; and a strong commitment to organic and local food and wine. The hotel's restaurant and bar, O'Doul's, is also an active member of both the Green Table Network and the Vancouver Aquarium's Oceanwise program. www.thelistelhotel.com |
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| VANCOUVER SIGHTSEEING MADE EASY (AND LUXURIOUS!) | |||||||
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Vancouver All Terrain Adventure's new City and Nature Sightseeing tour is the city's luxury sightseeing alternative. Groups of up to 24 people at a time can be accommodated in the company's four luxury SUVs for a six hour tour that includes a gourmet picnic lunch. The trip includes city-touring around Chinatown, Robson Street and Stanley Park before heading up the scenic Sea-to-Sky highway for a stop at the majestic Shannon Falls - the third highest waterfall in BC. After a lunch of free-range grilled chicken breast with house-made five fruit chutney, baby red potato salad and citrus dressed green bean Provencal, the group heads back to Vancouver to explore the beaches of English Bay and Vancouver's world famous Granville Island Public Market. Hotel, cruise ship or airport drop-offs conclude the tour. The tour is priced at $225 per person and can be customized to include an add-on to Whistler or Seattle. www.all-terrain.com |
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