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VANCOUVER
– International
visitors to British Columbia will enjoy top level service and information in
the brand new Peace Arch Gateway Visitors Centre starting in February 2009,
Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.
Premier Campbell
unveiled the design of the new $4.6-million building during his address to the
Council of Tourism Associations’ annual conference in Vancouver. Most of the
4,800-square-foot space – 85 per cent – will be public space. Special features
include a theatre, currency exchange service and flags of B.C.’s neighbours
Washington, Oregon and California.
“Construction of new
Gateway Visitor Centres will further promote summer and winter destinations
across B.C., helping to build an even stronger B.C. tourism industry and
provincial economy,” said Campbell. “This centre is a fitting first
introduction to the wide range of tourism and cultural experiences B.C. has to
offer guests from the United States.”
The Peace Arch
Gateway Visitors Centre is designed after a First Nations
Semiahmoo winter dwelling. From the air, the footprint of the
building is based on one of B.C.’s Gulf Islands. Features will include
structural and decorative indigenous forest elements featuring B.C. tree
species, mountains and rivers. It will be built to LEED Gold standards.
“The improved
Gateway Visitor Centres have a tangible economic benefit,” said Stan Hagen,
Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. “Based on interviews with travellers,
we know that having a visitors centre prompts tourists to stay longer and make
return trips, thus leveraging B.C.’s assets to their greatest advantage. The
Peace Arch Centre is a key link to British Columbia as a world-class
destination.”
“Across the
province, our Gateway Visitor Centres are providing a welcoming, informative
first stop for visitors entering B.C.,” said Rod Harris, CEO of Tourism BC.
“This new centre will not only showcase what B.C. has to offer to some of the
millions of visitors who come here, but the building itself becomes part of our
message.”
Tourism British
Columbia currently operates six provincial gateway visitor information
centres: Peace Arch Border Crossing, Vancouver International Airport
(domestic and international), Mt. Robson Provincial Park, Osoyoos, Golden and
Coquihalla (Merritt). The centres offer highly trained, professional
counsellors, state of the art technology, reservations, ticketing and retail
opportunities including Super, Natural British Columbia products, currency
exchange, food and beverage, and rest room facilities.
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contact: |
Communications Director Office of the Premier 250 387-6605 |
Communications Manager Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts 250 357-2799 |
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For more information on government services or to subscribe to the Province’s news feeds using RSS, visit the Province’s website at www.gov.bc.ca. |
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