October 2007
VANCOUVER AGAIN RANKED "MOST LIVEABLE CITY"
Vancouver has once again topped the Economist Intelligence Unit's (EIU) Global Liveability Ranking. The organization reviewed 132 cities worldwide on stability, healthcare, culture and environment, education, and infrastructure. The survey scores the cities on 40 criteria - the lower the score, the more attractive the destination. Vancouver's overall score was 1.3%. Following Vancouver in the rankings were Melbourne (1.8%), Vienna (2.3%), Perth (2.5%), and Toronto and Adelaide (both with 3%). The survey was last released in 2005 when Vancouver also topped the list.
www.eiu.com
In This Issue
VANCOUVER AGAIN RANKED "MOST LIVEABLE CITY"
TOURISM VANCOUVER ANNOUNCES DINE OUT VANCOUVER™ 2008
TEACH A FACIAL NIGHT AT SKOAH SPA
FLOAT WITH THE EAGLES ON THEIR WINTER RETURN TO BC
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER VACATIONS TRAVEL AGENT CONTEST
YVR AWARDS
NEW WORKING HOLIDAY VISAS MEAN AUSSIES CAN SPEND LONGER IN CANADA
TRAVEL TRAINING
BARD ON THE BEACH 2008 SEASON
CHRISTMAS TRAIN TO THE CANADIAN ROCKIES

TOURISM VANCOUVER ANNOUNCES DINE OUT VANCOUVER™ 2008
January 16 - February 3, 2008
Tourism Vancouver invites you to experience the city's outstanding food and wine scene during Dine Out Vancouver 2008, presented by Visa. From January 16 to February 3, visitors can enjoy a special three-course dinner at one of over 150 of Vancouver's hottest restaurants for $15, $25 or $35 per person, complemented by fabulous BC VQA wine pairing suggestions. This year marks the sixth anniversary of the promotion, and the culinary extravaganza has been extended from 17 to 19 days due to consumer demand. The list of participating restaurants and menus will be posted online during the first week of January and hotel packages will be available soon.
www.tourismvancouver.com
TEACH A FACIAL NIGHT AT SKOAH SPA
Skoah spa in Yaletown invites you to their new "Teach a Facial" night, the first Thursday of every month. Come with your mother, sister, friend or boyfriend and learn how to give a first rate facial. Guaranteed to garner a giggle and smooth the skin, Private 'teach-a-facial' nights are also available on request for groups of 8 or more. Contact the store to sign up or reserve a private night.
www.skoah.com
FLOAT WITH THE EAGLES ON THEIR WINTER RETURN TO BC
Between November and February, Canadian Outback Adventures' Eagle Safari Tour offers visitors the chance to view the world's largest concentration of bald eagles as they feast on spawning salmon in Brackendale BC (one hour north of Vancouver). A record 3,700 eagles have been counted in the area in a single day. A photographer's dream, the trip is suitable for everyone, including kids as young as five. The three hour adventure includes a tranquil scenic river journey, warm and cozy waterproof boots and outerwear plus a hearty lunch after the adventure. $130 CAD for adults, $80 CAD for youth, $50 CAD for kids. Special dates, prices and transportation available for groups of eight or more.
www.canadianoutback.com
ROCKY MOUNTAINEER VACATIONS TRAVEL AGENT CONTEST
Next spring, one million guests will have experienced the vast beauty of Western Canada aboard the world-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer train. To celebrate, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations is thanking travel agents by giving away 10 two-day Rocky Mountaineer rail journeys for two. All travel agents who book five-night packages between now and January 15 are eligible to win. For more information on the "One Millionth Guest" contest, contact Rocky Mountaineer Vacations directly at (800) 665-7245 or check their website.
www.rockymountaineer.com
YVR AWARDS
Vancouver International Airport (YVR) has been listed as the top airport in North America and the eighth best airport in the world in a survey of international passengers conducted by UK-based Skytrax. YVR is the only North American airport in the global top 10. The survey, conducted between August 2006 and July 2007, is based on more than 7.8 million passenger surveys measuring 40 categories including terminal cleanliness, staff efficiency and courtesy, terminal signage and walking distances, as well as features like shopping, dining options, and internet services.
www.yvr.com
NEW WORKING HOLIDAY VISAS MEAN AUSSIES CAN SPEND LONGER IN CANADA
A new, more flexible Canadian working holiday visa will allow Australian visitors to stay longer in Canada. The new visa will permit eligible applicants (18 to 30 years) to spend two years living and working in Canada rather than the previous one year. It is also now possible to obtain the visa more than once - meaning Australians who want to stay longer can obtain a second visa to stay on in Canada. Vancouver is a very popular destination for young Australians to travel and get work experience. Applications for the new visa will open on January 1, 2008.
www.iep.org.au
TRAVEL TRAINING
Studies show more and more people are looking to learn something new on their holiday. Here are three unique skills visitors can pick up while vacationing in Vancouver.
  • Be a blacksmith for a day at historic Fort Langley. Don a period costume and spend the day in the restored blacksmith shop at Fort Langley - a Canadian national historic site located about 50 minutes drive from Vancouver. As apprentice to "Blacksmith Louis" learn to pump the bellows, discover the history of Fort Langley and be the centre of attention as you are trained to transform a raw chunk of metal into something useful with your own two hands. Cost is $195 CAD for a full day. Price includes your take-home project. Half-day and hourly rates also available. Must be 19 years or older. Groups welcome.
    www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/bc/langley/

  • Nature photography with Rockwood Adventures. This new tour combines Rockwood Adventures signature rainforest walks with instruction on the art of taking fabulous pictures of the natural environment. Guests must have their own cameras.
    www.rockwoodadventures.com

  • Lean to ski or snowboard in Vancouver. Take advantage of Vancouver's three local ski mountains to learn to ski or snowboard: Grouse Mountain, Cypress Mountain and Mount Seymour. All three mountains are great for beginners and feature stunning views and great instructors. The are also much closer and more reasonably priced than Whistler. In addition, Cypress Mountain will host skiing and snowboarding events during the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.
    www.grousemountain.com
    www.cypressmountain.com
    www.mountseymour.com
BARD ON THE BEACH 2008 SEASON
The internationally acclaimed Bard on the Beach Shakespeare Festival has announced its 2008 season. The 19-year-old theatre festival, renowned for its stunning waterfront location and backdrop of mountains, sea and sky, will mount Twelfth Night, King Lear, The Tempest and Titus Andronicus. But be sure to buy your tickets early. Last summer, Bard attendance exceeded 86,000 and sold out every single performance. Additional information on the upcoming season will be posted regularly on their website.
www.bardonthebeach.org
CHRISTMAS TRAIN TO THE CANADIAN ROCKIES
Celebrate the Christmas season with family and friends onboard the festive Rocky Mountaineer train, a two-day rail journey between the coastal city of Vancouver and Banff in the Canadian Rockies. Onboard the train, guests will experience a front seat view of the postcard-perfect winter scenery and outstanding regional cuisine. This holiday-themed getaway will ignite the Christmas spirit in everyone with an appearance by Santa Claus, a children's entertainer, gifts, live music and dancing. A special holiday menu is also featured and includes Christmas turkey with all the trimmings. Prices start at $559 CAD per adult (based on double occupancy) and $259 CAD per child (special offer: one child travels free this December with two paying adults in GoldLeaf service).
www.rockymountaineer.com

For further information, please contact:
Wendy Underwood
Manager, Travel Media Relations,
Trade + International
Phone: 604.631.2859
wunderwood@tourismvancouver.com

Emily Armstrong
Manager, Travel Media Relations, North America
Phone: 604.631.2873
earmstrong@tourismvancouver.com

Amber Sessions
Travel Media Relations Specialist
Phone: 604.631.2870
asessions@tourismvancouver.com
Tourism Vancouver