Post by Retrovision on Apr 21, 2006 16:17:42 GMT -8
The first cruise ship of the season has arrived in Vancouver.
www.portvancouver.com/media/news_20060421-1.html
April 21, 2006
Vancouver Celebrates 20 years of Cruise at Canada Place
Vancouver, BC Vancouver's 2006 cruise season begins Friday, April 21 when Holland America Line's ms Volendam docks alongside Canada Place. The Volendam's arrival marks a week of festivities at the Port of Vancouver, as the Vancouver Port Authority celebrates 20 years of cruise ship business at Canada Place.
"We are proud to celebrate two successful decades of the cruise industry at Canada Place," said Chris Badger, Vice President, Customer Development and Operations of the Vancouver Port Authority. "The cruise sector is a vital part of our economy creating 13,500 total jobs annually at the Port of Vancouver."
Cruising at the Port of Vancouver began more than 100 years ago with passengers traveling on paddle wheelers and freight vessels. In 1986 Vancouver hosted the World Exposition and with it came the Canada Pavilion and cruise facility, known as Canada Place, welcoming 300,000 passengers on 233 sailings.
Twenty years later, in 2006 the port will host 28 ships on about 275 sailings throughout the season resulting in more than 900,000 passengers visiting Vancouver. The cruise industry provides significant economic benefit to Canada including $1.3 billion in total economic output and $567 million in total GDP annually. Each sailing through Vancouver generates approximately $2 million in economic benefits to the local and provincial economy.
"As the 2006 cruise season begins, the VPA is committed to working with the North West CruiseShip Association (NWCA), Tourism Vancouver and our new cruise terminal operator, Ceres, to continue the exceptional level of service, smooth operations and efficient luggage handling that Vancouver is known for around the world" said Badger.
"The NWCA, representing its member lines operating in Vancouver, is pleased to welcome Ceres to our local cruise industry," said John Hansen, President, NWCA.
The Port of Vancouver was recently named the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America by the London-based Berlitz travel publishing company.
The VPA continues to build on its outstanding reputation within the international cruise industry with strategic initiatives aimed at providing the best possible passenger experience and maintaining its leadership position.
The US Direct Program, launched in 2005, partners the VPA and the Vancouver International Airport Authority to expedite immigration and customs clearance process for Alaska cruise passengers and improve transit times between the port and airport. In addition, the Cruise BC initiative brings together BC ports, destination marketing organizations, governments and cruise lines to develop tourist interest in Canada's Inside Passage and elevate BCs cruise ports to world class status.
Stephen Pearce, Vice President, Leisure Travel and Destination Management, Tourism Vancouver states that it is also important to position Vancouver as an essential part of the cruise experience. "Working with our partners the Vancouver International Airport, Tourism British Columbia, and the Port of Vancouver, we are strengthening our investment in cruise marketing to position a Vancouver-based experience as the best way for a visitor to start their cruise vacation."
Vancouver's cruise season runs from the end of April to the end of September, representing the third most popular cruise itinerary in the world.
The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading more than $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 69,200 jobs in total with $4 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $8.9 billion in economic output.
www.portvancouver.com/media/news_20060421-1.html
April 21, 2006
Vancouver Celebrates 20 years of Cruise at Canada Place
Vancouver, BC Vancouver's 2006 cruise season begins Friday, April 21 when Holland America Line's ms Volendam docks alongside Canada Place. The Volendam's arrival marks a week of festivities at the Port of Vancouver, as the Vancouver Port Authority celebrates 20 years of cruise ship business at Canada Place.
"We are proud to celebrate two successful decades of the cruise industry at Canada Place," said Chris Badger, Vice President, Customer Development and Operations of the Vancouver Port Authority. "The cruise sector is a vital part of our economy creating 13,500 total jobs annually at the Port of Vancouver."
Cruising at the Port of Vancouver began more than 100 years ago with passengers traveling on paddle wheelers and freight vessels. In 1986 Vancouver hosted the World Exposition and with it came the Canada Pavilion and cruise facility, known as Canada Place, welcoming 300,000 passengers on 233 sailings.
Twenty years later, in 2006 the port will host 28 ships on about 275 sailings throughout the season resulting in more than 900,000 passengers visiting Vancouver. The cruise industry provides significant economic benefit to Canada including $1.3 billion in total economic output and $567 million in total GDP annually. Each sailing through Vancouver generates approximately $2 million in economic benefits to the local and provincial economy.
"As the 2006 cruise season begins, the VPA is committed to working with the North West CruiseShip Association (NWCA), Tourism Vancouver and our new cruise terminal operator, Ceres, to continue the exceptional level of service, smooth operations and efficient luggage handling that Vancouver is known for around the world" said Badger.
"The NWCA, representing its member lines operating in Vancouver, is pleased to welcome Ceres to our local cruise industry," said John Hansen, President, NWCA.
The Port of Vancouver was recently named the most passenger-friendly cruise port in North America by the London-based Berlitz travel publishing company.
The VPA continues to build on its outstanding reputation within the international cruise industry with strategic initiatives aimed at providing the best possible passenger experience and maintaining its leadership position.
The US Direct Program, launched in 2005, partners the VPA and the Vancouver International Airport Authority to expedite immigration and customs clearance process for Alaska cruise passengers and improve transit times between the port and airport. In addition, the Cruise BC initiative brings together BC ports, destination marketing organizations, governments and cruise lines to develop tourist interest in Canada's Inside Passage and elevate BCs cruise ports to world class status.
Stephen Pearce, Vice President, Leisure Travel and Destination Management, Tourism Vancouver states that it is also important to position Vancouver as an essential part of the cruise experience. "Working with our partners the Vancouver International Airport, Tourism British Columbia, and the Port of Vancouver, we are strengthening our investment in cruise marketing to position a Vancouver-based experience as the best way for a visitor to start their cruise vacation."
Vancouver's cruise season runs from the end of April to the end of September, representing the third most popular cruise itinerary in the world.
The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading more than $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 69,200 jobs in total with $4 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $8.9 billion in economic output.
