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North America’s only cruise ship terminal with a First Nations theme is one step closer to becoming a reality with an investment of $9 million from the Government of Canada.

Stephen Owen, Minister of Western Economic Diversification and Minister of State (Sport) made the announcement in Campbell River Nov. 9. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada will provide $6 million and Western Economic Diversification will provide $3 million for the construction of the terminal.

“It is vital that British Columbia has the infrastructure necessary to capitalize on the growing opportunities within the cruise ship and the tourism industry,” said Minister Owen. “With this new terminal, Campbell River will soon be a destination of choice for travelers around the world.”

“The Government of Canada is committed to working with First Nations to support community economic development,” said Andy Scott, Minister of the Department of Indian Affairs and Northern Development. “The initiative shown by the Campbell River Indian Band is a testament to their commitment to build a strong economy for their members while creating opportunities that provide benefits for their neighbors and the region.”

The new Campbell River Cruise Ship Terminal will be an international port of call for cruise ships worldwide, representing a new cultural tourism opportunity for the Campbell River Indian Band. By accommodating the larger cruise ship vessels, the community of Campbell River can capitalize on the economic benefits brought by visitors from around the world. The Terminal will complement British Columbia’s cruise ship industry, which is currently Canada’s leading cruise ship centre. Campbell River is situated within the Discovery Passage, which makes it a perfect destination port facility.

“The Campbell River Indian Band is extremely excited about this announcement. We have put a lot of hard work into making this dream a reality. It will strengthen both our community and the communities that surround us,” said Robert Pollard, Chief of the Campbell River Indian Band. “It will allow us to showcase our heritage with pride.”

The Campbell River Indian Band is located on Vancouver Island and has a population of 600 members, approximately half of that number lives on the reserve. The Band has played a significant role in the growth and development of the local area and region over the past few years and is the region's largest employer. The Band’s development of the highly successful Discovery Harbor Centre and Marina in the late 1990’s, the largest commercial project in Campbell River, symbolizes the Band’s efforts to play a major role in Campbell River's economy.

Western Economic Diversification Canada is the federal department mandated to support economic diversification in communities across Western Canada through activities that advance Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Sustainable Communities. Indian and Northern Affairs Canada, through its economic development programs, is helping to foster strong First Nation communities and economies by facilitating partnerships with the private sector, reducing obstacles and increasing access to economic opportunities. Funding for this project was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget.

Author: Canadian Travel Press
Organization: Baxter Travel Group
Contact: ctp@baxter.net

Soon to open in Whistler for those who want a change from the larger, branded hotels will be the Adara Hotel.

Scheduled to debut in mid-December, the Adara calls itself a “chic and trendy designer boutique” hotel – “promising to bring an element of urban flair to the woodsy resort town.”

The Adara will have 41 guest rooms and suites, in four configurations. Each unit incorporates elements such as a “floating” fireplace, spa bathroom, walk-in shower with “rain” shower head, sheepskin throws, abstract art, flat screen TVs, patios and full kitchens in some. There is also an outdoor heated pool, patio and hot tub.

Author: Canadian Travel Press
Organization: Baxter Travel Group
Contact: ctp@baxter.net

SKIVANCOUVER

A partnership of Mount Seymour, Cypress Mountain and Go time Events

Vancouver, British Columbia

North America's Best “Urban Ski Experience”

SKI VANCOUVER’s mission is:

-to strengthen the City of Vancouver as a winter destination.

-to provide packaged product and marketing opportunities for industry partners during the November to April season.

The strategy in branding Vancouver as a winter sports destination is to offer Lobby to Lift packages that replicate a ski resort experience. Ski Vancouver packages include accommodation, hotel pick-up and return, and lift ticket at either Cypress Mountain or Mount Seymour. Daily scheduled shuttles leave downtown at 8:00 AM, 12:30 PM and 5:00 PM return shuttles leave the mountains at 1:00 PM, 5:30 PM and 10:00 PM. Custom packages available upon request.

SKI VANCOUVER packages are sold on-line through the SKI VANCOUVER website at www.skivancouver.ca, directly through the SKI VANCOUVER call centre or by participating hotel properties. Partners receive SKI VANCOUVER vouchers (called SKI VANCOUVER PASS) which are redeemed for transportation and lift ticket.

SKI VANCOUVER provides the SKI VANCOUVER PASS to its industry partners at a net rate of Adults - $69.00, Youth - $64.00 & Child - $59.00. The pass is to be sold only with a Hotel Room and advertised as a SKI VANCOUVER package. The SKI VANCOUVER PASS is available to hotels, agents, meeting planners and DMC's for resale.

Industry Partners wishing to participate should contact Michael Cann at Go Time Events 888-599-6800 or m.cann@gotimeevents.com.

PANTHEON HELISPORTS FIRST TO COMBINE HELISKIING, SKI TOURING WITH NEW HELIASSIST™ PROGRAM

Tatla Lake, British Columbia (Nov. 7, 2005) – Pantheon Helisports, North America’s most adventurous heliskiing operation, will this spring be the first to offer HeliAssist™ trips, which offer a combination of ski touring supplemented by daily heliskiing-style helicopter lifts deep within British Columbia’s Coast Range north of Whistler. In addition to its first full season of heliskiing trips in February and March 2006, Pantheon will offer HeliAssist™ trips in April. Guests on Pantheon HeliAssist™ trips will be able to explore some of Canada’s longest powder-skiing runs (up to 5,000 vertical feet) and some of the last unexplored ski terrain in British Columbia (Pantheon’s operating area contains half a million acres) in a higher adventure format – one that also costs about half the price of small group-format heliskiing trip.

“Right now, there’s just no middle ground between the more adventurous feel of a ski touring trip and the higher cost of heliskiing, and HeliAssist represents something in the middle that doesn’t yet exist,” said Eric Ringdahl, Pantheon’s founder. “There are touring operations where you get a helicopter ride in, ski tour for a week, and then a ride out at the end of the week. And there’s full-blown heliskiing, where there is little or no room for exploration and self-powered ascents of slopes that are inaccessible by helicopter.

“We’re creating a hybrid that allows groups to exponentially increase the amount of skiing they’d get just from ski touring alone, yet at the same time allows for the exploratory and adventurous feel of ski mountaineering. Essentially, it’s what you’d do if you were a ski mountaineer in search of that perfect run of the season and you happened to have your own pilot, guide and helicopter.”

With the HeliAssist™ format, eight guests per week are flown into a remote, expedition-style camp deep in the Coast Range. From that comfortable base camp – which has a heated locker-room tent for drying gear and a spacious chef’s tent for dining and socializing – guests enjoy excellent, fresh cuisine prepared by an on-site chef and out-the-tent-door access to some of BC’s best ski touring.

One helicopter lift per day is included in the base cost of the trip (though groups can choose to use multiple lifts on some days and none on others). Groups can also choose to use the helicopter more or less, depending on their budget and abilities, which adjusts the price accordingly.

“The HeliAssist once a day means that it’s possible to ski 10,000 or 12,000 vertical feet in a day, compared to a more common average of 5,000 or 6,000 feet at a traditional touring operation,” Ringdahl said. “That means you can reach terrain that you couldn’t otherwise ski while ski touring because it would take you the whole day just to access it. And because the group has the ability to tour, HeliAssist also means the skiers can also reach terrain that’s not accessible to traditional heliskiers. Sometimes there’s a run you really want to ski but no convenient places to land. So HeliAssist opens up the options in a variety of ways.”

A week of HeliAssist™ skiing at Pantheon costs $5,000 Canadian, including accommodation, guides, meals and heli-time (one lift a day, extra lifts available for the cost of heli time). Tax, alcohol and flight from Vancouver are not included. The flight from Vancouver costs $360 Canadian round trip, and guests may also choose to drive.

For more information, visit www.pantheonheli.com or call toll free in North America (866) 404-HELI.

About Pantheon Helisports

With 700 square miles of ski terrain in the Pantheon, Waddington and Niut Ranges located between Whistler and Bella Coola, British Columbia. Pantheon’s terrain is world class; the mountains were featured set in movies such as Seven Years in Tibet, Kundun and K2. Heliskiing guests stay at the Pantheon Lodge with its rustic, comfortable guest cabins, situated on the White Saddle Ranch near Tatla Lake, BC.

Author: James Morris
Organization: Pantheon Helisports
Contact: james@pantheonheli.com

CALIFORNIA TOURISM MARKETING FIRM JOINS BC&;S PACE GROUP TO REINVIGORATE US MARKETS

California Tourism Marketing Firm Joins BC’s Pace Group to Reinvigorate US Markets

Vancouver, November 8, 2005: The Pace Group, one of British Columbia’s best known communications and marketing firms is partnering with California-based publicists and marketers, Leone & Leone Ltd., to boost BC tourism marketing opportunities in major US markets.

The Pace Group, with offices in Vancouver and Victoria, and Leone & Leone, which has operations in Los Angeles, Orange County and Sonoma, have teamed up to offer British Columbia tourism clients a variety of promotion and publicity services across the United States.

Norman Stowe, The Pace Group’s Managing Partner, and Mike Leone, Managing Partner of Leone & Leone, first met during Expo 86 when Stowe represented the Province of British Columbia and Leone carried out US communications and marketing programs on behalf of British Columbia during the world’s fair.

Leone brings over 30 years experience and contacts in consumer marketing, promotion and public relations to the partnership with The Pace Group.

“Over the past 20 years, Mike’s efforts have really helped to put Vancouver on the map throughout the US, particularly in California,” noted Stowe. “His relationships with tourism operators and major media resulted in a tremendous influx of American tourists to British Columbia during and after Expo 86. It was really remarkable and all of us were impressed with his cooperative style, and his ability to deliver.”

“Now, as we head towards 2010, BC’s tourism industry could use a shot in the arm from our closest neighbours and Mike’s skills and reputation throughout the US make him and his firm an invaluable addition to The Pace Group, but also to BC’s tourism industry which is keen to grow the US market in new and innovative ways.”

For Leone, opening an office in British Columbia has been a quiet dream since his first visit in 1985.

“I’ve been a fan of British Columbia for over 20 years and it’s always impressed me how much potential there is in the California and west coast US market for the BC tourism product,” said Leone. “California alone is a market with over 36 million potential visitors. As an experienced tourism marketer, I have a keen eye for creating unique promotional partnerships and I’m an avid story teller. My strength is helping businesses tell their story, and at the end of the day, it’s all about relationships.”

“The Pace Group and I share a common approach to our work - it’s very smart and results based. That’s why the majority of our work continues to be by referral. It’s a great fit for both groups.”

Author: Norman Stowe
Organization: The Pace Group
Contact: nstowe@pacegroup.com

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