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Laurie Chester

Air Canada inaugurates new non-stop Vancouver – Dublin flights

VANCOUVER, BC and DUBLIN – Air Canada‘s inaugural flight AC1940, from Vancouver departed last Friday afternoon (June 10), marking the only non-stop service linking Vancouver and Ireland. Air Canada Rouge brings their hallmark customer service excellence to these seasonal flights between Vancouver and the Irish capital city, which operate three …

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Comparing vineyards from Down Under

Aspirations of a healthy fusion between agriculture and tourism seem to be a reality in the Okanagan, and in order to analyze and mimic its success, a small group of Australians were in town last week to explore some local wineries. Through the Rotary Club’s group study exchange, Alice Fargher, …

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Report indicates tourism growth for B.C. this year

The Conference Board of Canada has released its annual report on tourism, and B.C. is expected to attract more visitors in 2016. The report is projecting an increase in overnight visits to Canada from the U.S. and overseas as well as domestic visits within Canada. Vancouver has been singled out …

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Top Travel Trends From Ultra 2016

At Luxury Travel Advisor’s Ultra Summit, which ran May 22-24 at the St. Regis Monarch Beach in Dana Point CA, attendees heard from Chris Fair, president of Resonance Consulting. He spoke about trends and insights involving the luxury travel industry, all culled from surveys that reached out to the top …

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New ‘eyes’ on highways

The Ministry of Transportation has installed 12 new highway cams along three variable speed routes in the province. The cameras have been installed on the Coquihalla Highway (five), Sea-To-Sky Highway (three) and Highway 1 (four). “These new cameras mean those planning to travel along the Coquihalla, the Sea-to-Sky and Trans-Canada …

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Eco-friendly Vacation Guide – Okanagan Valley

Ecotourism has become the fastest growing segment of the travel industry, with the majority of travellers seeking eco-friendly experiences. BC is leading with way with nearly 100 tourism businesses certified by Green Tourism Canada. The Okanagan is rapidly becoming an ecotourism hotspot, with the creation of an electric highway, sustainability …

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Province pleased with response to electric vehicle program

Electric vehicles in the province can travel in high-occupancy vehicle (HOV) lanes and so far, 1,000 residents have taken advantage of the special allowance. In March, the province announced that eligible electric vehicles could travel in the HOV lanes without having to meet the occupancy requirements. Since then, the province …

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Economy holding strong

The Thompson-Okanagan economy continued to perform well in 2015, according to a new report. The Chartered Professional Accountants of B.C. annual economic report expects the local economy to “remain robust” in 2016. “Compared to other regions in B.C., the Thompson-Okanagan’s economy performed relatively well in 2015,” said Karen Christiansen, a partner at MNP …

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Tourism Growth Looking to Go from Good to Great

A week to celebrate Tourism’s importance as an economic sector and in 2016 there is much to celebrate.  Comprising nearly 2% of GDP this $90 Billion industry is uniquely positioned as a regional economic driver from coast to coast to coast. Canada’s Tourism industry directly employs 627,000 people while a …

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