Canadian Tourism Commission Calls Upon Olympians

Our Olympic athletes will be helping the CTC to encourage tourism across Canada and help stimulate the economy this year. In an article published Friday in Marketer News, the CTC has explained the third leg of its Locals Know campaign will feature Canadian Olympic athletes, as well as other Canadian celebrities, sharing the local destinations they enjoy most.

The 39-video series features Alex Bilodeau, Joannie Rochette and Scott Moir, among others. There are also videos featuring several non-Olympic Canadians, including Glee’s Cory Monteith, Chef Michael Smith, and singer Keshia Chante.

After viewing the videos, Canadians have the opportunity to vote for their favourite “Gold Medal Getaway” for a chance to win a round-trip WestJet flight to any Canadian city.

The CTC has announced they plan to spend $10 million in 2010 to support the tourism industry. We hope a portion of that media buy will go to community newspapers across the country in support of the Locals Know marketing campaign; however last year its agency of record DDB made a diverse media buy that included national magazines, television, radio and print.

View the full article here.

View the Locals Know “Gold Medal Getaways” video series here.

Torch relay brightens Canada’s Olympic spirit

The Olympic Torch has made its way back to British Columbia on the final leg of its 106-day journey across our beautiful nation. Along the way many proud Canadians had the opportunity to carry the flame or witness it pass through their communities, as documented by many community newspapers highlighting the Olympic spirit and positive experiences associated with this once-in-a-lifetime event.

On Thursday, February 11 the Torch will arrive in Vancouver for bell lap of the relay with many notable Canadians such as astronaut Julie Payette, singer/songwriter Jann Arden, singer/songwriter Michael Bublé, hockey-dad Walter Gretzky and former BC Lions kicker Luis Passaglia, carrying this Olympic symbol through the host city.

Although Vancouver, West Vancouver, Richmond and Whistler host venues for the winter sports, this will truly be Canada’s Games. We wanted to highlight a few of the memorable torch relay stories featured in the BCYCNA member newspapers. As these stories show, the Olympic spirit across BC and Yukon was certainly on display – it all leading up to February 12 where the world will witness the Torch Lighting Ceremony opening the 2010 Winter Olympics.

For an interactive map of the Torch relay click HERE.

Your Guide for Getting around in February 2010

Speculation over what Vancouver is going to look like during the imminent 2010 Olympics Games has become a regional past time over the last few years.  From real estate to restaurants, rentals to road closure: no one seems to know exactly what to expect.

With the BCYCNA offices in downtown Vancouver these things weigh pretty heavily on our minds. We therefore thought we would share some of the information that is helping us formulate our commuting plans during “the big show.”

The first is from the City of Vancouver and details the locations and timing of Olympic-related road closures:

Vancouver 2010 Road Closures

The second comes is a Vancouver Sun editorial discussing what commuters can expect from Translink during the run of the Games:

Vancouver Sun: Expect waits up to two hours for transit

Bringing Olympic light to Powell River

In lead up to the 2010 Winter Games our province hosted the launch of the 106-day nation-wide Olympic Torch Relay. Since October 30 the torch has showcased some of Canada’s diverse culture, accomplishments, beautiful landscapes and has been passed from one influential Canadian to another.

When the torch makes its way back to British Columbia one of our own British Columbia & Yukon Community Newspapers Association members Joyce Carlson, Publisher of the Powell River Peak, will have the honour of carrying the Olympic Torch through Powell River.

Throughout the years Joyce has contributed a great deal to the Powel River community and not just through the newspaper. Earlier this year she was a recipient of the BC Community Achievement Award. Due to her desire to build the community, she has contributed to Powell River hosting many events and festivals that have broadened and developed the city’s outlook and progress.

Watch out for Joyce with Olympic Torch in hand February 3, 2010. To view video footage and updates visit, www.vancouver2010.com/olympic-torch-relay.