One of the most important legacies of hosting the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games that I see for British Columbia and our industry is a renewed sense of optimism that we can accomplish a tremendous amount by working together.

 

Government and the tourism industry set out to re-write the book on how to maximize the benefits of hosting an Olympic Games, and we have managed to do that and much more. Compliments have been pouring in from all corners – VANOC, the IOC, the Council of Tourism Associations of B.C., international media, and many more.

 

Years of careful planning and outstanding implementation of marketing, media relations and promotional activities during the Games have put our industry on a new trajectory for growth.

 

The talented marketing staff in our ministry will continue to launch significant post-Games marketing and promotional campaigns, ensuring we convert the remarkable exposure, awareness and interest generated by the Games to sustained gains for tourism businesses in every corner of our province.

 

As a result of the Games and associated marketing initiatives, awareness about Super, Natural British Columbia is blossoming. Interest from American travelers has significantly increased with more and more U.S. citizens from our key demographic markets putting B.C. on their ‘must visit’ list.

 

The future includes challenges. Full economic recovery in our key tourism markets, particularly Europe and the U.S., is desired to get people moving again. However, our collective efforts to prepare B.C.’s communities and tourism workforce to ‘Welcome the World’ in 2010 has positioned us strongly to benefit from the massive Games-time exposure.

 

My sincere thanks goes out to everyone in the B.C. Super, Natural tourism industry, for helping British Columbia host the greatest Olympic Winter Games in history. Our future is brilliant because of your efforts.