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Latest News Games Performance Propels Tourism Forward
BC resets the bar on how destinations maximize benefits of hosting Olympic Games One-on-One with Gilbert Felli, Executive Director of the International Olympic Committee
Benefits should be felt in the region for many years to come Games and Promotion Boost Interest in BC Travel
Games-time marketing created increased awareness. Communities Lever Games to Grow Sport Tourism
New venues and 2010 experience helps BC communities attract more training camps and international competitions Games a Launching Pad for Aboriginal Tourism
First Nations tourism experiences enjoying boost in exposure Tour Operators Strengthen BC Packages After Games
Branding boost and positive energy leads to increased emphasis on BC tourism products Tourism Industry Puts on its Game Face
Archive Story, Winter 2010: Celebrity and scenery converge to lure post-Games visitors. Aboriginal Tourism Welcomes the World
Archive Story, Winter 2010: AtBC showcase offers colorful and dramatic live demonstrations and performances every day of the Games. Archived News

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Games Mascots Triumph in Mexico  

Sumi, Quatchi and Miga made an impressive Mexican debut this fall, winning the hearts of ordinary citizens, media and key travel trade partners during a whirlwind trip to the country’s capital.

The endearing Vancouver 2010 mascots mingled and danced with the crowds at the Conozca Canada travel event in Mexico City and the Go Media luncheon for 60 top travel writers. They also posed for photos at the Canadá a Voces 2009 Awards Gala and Dinner attended by more than 280 tourism industry professionals and media.

The appearance was organized by Tourism BC, the Canadian Tourism Commission and the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.

The trio’s visit was staged to get Mexicans excited about all things cool and trendy for 2010 in British Columbia. The tourism boards used the occasion to heighten awareness of the exciting activities, attractions and shopping experiences on offer in the world class destinations of Vancouver and Whistler.

The Mascots also made a series of appearances on several of Mexico’s top-rated television programs reaching millions of viewers and potential consumers across Mexico and Latin America, including HOY (Mexico’s version of the Today Show) and La Jugada and Mas Deportes, two popular sports programs.

In 2008, nearly 84,000 Mexicans visited British Columbia, representing an eight per cent increase in overnight visits over 2007. While Vancouver, Whistler and Victoria are the most popular BC destinations, more and more Mexican travellers discovering other BC hot spots such as the Thompson Okanagan and Vancouver Island for luxury wine and culinary experiences. 


Photo Caption: L-r Magdalena Bermea (CTC), Steve Ogden (Tourism BC), Daniela Santibanez (Tourism BC) and Jorge Morfin (CTC) with the Vancouver 2010 Mascots.

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Tourism Vancouver Island AGM and Conference
Sep 07, 2010
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COTA BC Tourism Industry Conference
Oct 20, 2010
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