"Fundamentally sound", "historic", "well-thought out", "demonstrates a clear vision" were just some of the IOC Evaluation Commission's remarks describing components of Canada's bid for the 2010 Games. The Commission made the remarks in its recently released report following an official visit to Vancouver and Whistler in early March. Fear over early IOC Evaluation Commission remarks about Whistler being too far away from Vancouver were quickly dispelled when the commission stated it was "confident that Olympic transport requirements can be met." With only 55 days until International Olympic Committee members vote on who gets to host the Winter Games, Canadian Olympic officials and organizers were cautious on whether or not the report indicates a solid frontrunner in the race to host the world's largest sporting event. Salzburg and PyeongChang, the remaining two competitors in the race for the 2010 Games, were also evaluated in the report. Salzburg was noted for having a shortage of reserved rooms and high accommodation rates. The Commission added that Paralympic Winter Games planning showed an apparent lack of detail and an "underestimated" budget of USD $20 million. PyeongChang meanwhile was also left to sort out a shortage of hotel rooms and will have to convince IOC members that a plan for alpine skiing speed events is a safe bet.
An Ipsos-Reid poll shows Tourism is currently the biggest contributor to the provincial economy and will be the same in the future according to most British Columbians. Ninety-two per cent of residents surveyed believed tourism was the main economic engine of the province. Forestry (83%), high-tech (77%), manufacturing (66%) and mining (54%) were the other industries on the list. Down the road, a full 44 per cent were confident tourism would keep its top stop. The poll, which is commissioned every year by the British Columbia Technology Industry Association, accurately reflects the opinion of the entire province within 3.5 percentage points. Residents gave tourism the highest score even though they were interviewed a month and a half before British Columbia was declared the host of the 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.
Looking at a map, B.C. is the shortest distance to Asia and could become North America’s premier gateway to the overseas continent. For this to happen, the federal government needs to include “fifth freedom rights” in its Open Skies Policy with the United States. COTA has been advocating for the change that would allow US carriers to refuel, pick up or drop off passengers in Vancouver en-route to destinations in Asia. The stopover effectively gives Vancouver unlimited flights to Asia. According to Air Canada’s own numbers, B.C. is going to need all the Asian traffic it can get. So far this year Air Canada has flown 40.5% fewer revenue passenger miles in the Pacific market. Capacity there is down over 30% as of June 2003. So far this year 51,872 fewer visitors have arrived at Vancouver International from the Asia-Oceania region. If the daily spending average of $100 applies, the direct loss to B.C. is worth $5.2 million.
President and CEO of the Canadian Tourism Commission Doug Fyfe advised COTA that Canada’s front line tourism marketer will be closing overseas offices and laying off staff. Fyfe notified employees in offices worldwide last week of the bad news. Ottawa headquarters will loose staff in procurement, information technology, product development, e-marketing and communications. Staff are also being reduced in the Netherlands, Hong Kong and Japan. Offices in some of British Columbia’s largest markets will also be closed. Australia will double as New Zealand’s headquarters, while China will play host to Hong Kong’s office when it shuts its doors. The CTC hopes the cutbacks along with a string of measures aimed at improving efficiencies will improve its returns to the industry. COTA remains concerned that west coast markets may be lost at this unstable time.
A 10.5 per cent decline in air traffic is forcing NAV Canada to go ahead with a 6.9 per cent service charge increase August 1, 2003. The private corporation that owns and operates Canada's air traffic control and flight information services charges airlines based on weight and distance flown. With the new increases, longhaul flights for example between Vancouver and Montreal will be charged $1.39 more. The same flight heading to Winnipeg instead of Quebec will pay $.99. Short hops like Kelowna to Calgary will shell out $.69. NAV Canada blames the reduction in air traffic on SARS, the war in Iraq, terrorism and the world economic slowdown.
