CruiseShips at the 2010 Winter Olympics?

Cruiseships will be prominent in the waters of Vancouver's Burrard Inlet during the 2010 Winter Olympics. Edmonton-based Newwest Travel has an agreement to bring the Norwegian Star to Vancouver for the Games. The ship would leave Los Angeles on February 6th and arrive in Vancouver 4 days later. It will be moored at the bulk marine terminal near the Lions Gate Bridge in North Vancouver, and will provide accommodations for 2,240 passengers.

The RCMP Vancouver 2010 Integrated Security Unit is also getting into the act. They have chartered 3 ships to provide accommodation for 5,000 police personnel before and during the Winter Olympics. The ships include the 2,052-passenger Carnival Elation, the 1,916-passenger Holland America MS Oosterdam, and the 1,258-passenger MS Statendam. The ships were originally scheduled to be in service, but instead will sail empty when it cruises to Vancouver in early 2010. The total bill comes to $76 million. Passengers who were booked to sail on these ships will be offered alternate ships or sail dates or a full refund.

Olympic Games in Canada Have Strong Appeal to Travellers

A survey by Visa Inc. indicated that a quarter of all international travelers were interested in attending the Olympic Games in Vancouver next year. The survey (conducted between Dec 11, 2008 and Jan 8, 2009) of more than 5,500 experienced global travelers in 11 countries also found that the majority of these potential visitors also planned to visit other parts of Canada. This indicates that the Games could bring real economic impact to Canada. The survey also showed that Canada has a strong showing as a repeat destination, as nearly 75% of survey respondents who had been to Canada wanted to return.

Of the countries surveyed, Hong Kong visitors to Canada spent the most on each Visa transaction ($248), followed by Russian tourists ($234), and Saudi Arabian tourists ($216). U.S. visitors spent an average of $114 on each Visa transaction.

Canada Tourism Gets $100 Million Stimulus

Major festivals and events across Canada will receive federal funding to draw tourists and boost tourism. "Marquee events" such as the Toronto International Film Festival, Caribana, Ottawa's Tulip Festival, the Calgary Stampede and other events could be eligible to apply for a $3 million per year fund. Many travellers are scaling back or canceling vacation plans amid the economic uncertainty. With summer bookings down 10% and the industry bracing for further declines, the two-year funding program will provide a much-needed stimulus that will also have postitive spinoffs for the local restaurants, businesses and other local attractions.

Where to Stay in 2010?

A quarter million visitors are expected to descend upon Vancouver next February for the 2010 Winter Olympic Games, and some people are wondering where they can stay? With a definite shortage of hotel rooms and short-term rentals available, the answer could be in the form of alternative accommodation such as a spare room, houseboat, mobile home or mansion to rent.

Check out clearinghouse and online ad sites such as DestinationPlanner2010.com (launched by a Tourism BC consortium), rent2010.net, and craigslist.org as possible sources for such accommodation. Recently launched iStopOver uses reviews and social networking sites such as Facebook and LinkedIn to help travellers and homeowners overcome the worry of dealing with total strangers. Both hosts and guests can put in authentication requests which allow them 24 hours to view information from social networking sites that the users choose to share. The site takes payments from the traveller and in exchange gives our a reservation code.

"Buyer Beware" is advised and be sure to check for photos, maps, references and a fair negotiable price to ensure you are comfortable with the other party, and your visit to Vancouver and Games experience is a pleasant one.

Riding the Wave of the Games

Tourism BC unveiled several programs aimed at driving B.C. tourism revenues from $12.6 billion this year to $19.6 billion by 2015. According to Tourism BC president Rod Harris, a recovering economy and global exposure from the Games next February should create six straight years of revenue gains. Multimedia marketing will include television, online marketing, search-engine marketing, print, contests and promotions and partnerships with Games broadcasters. Hundreds of hours of high-definition film footage of B.C. have already been shot, and will be broadcast worldwide over the next 12 months. Foreign media will be picking up human interest stories throughout the province before and during the games.

Bucking a common trend for tourism industry falloffs in the immediate year after a Games, Tourism BC predicts provincial tourism revenues to climb from $13.3 billion in 2010 to $14.1 billion in 2011. The reason is that, unlike previous Olympics, Tourism BC has a long-term tourism strategy in place for the 2010 Olympics that is based on a performance-based model and will allow the business to grow as revenues expand.