Six prominent B.C. food and travel bloggers will descend on
Victoria June 19th and 20th to share the sights, sounds and tastes
of the city with their many followers as part of Victorias first
social media familiarization tour.
The New Victoria for New Media blogger tour is being sponsored by
Coast Hotels & Resorts and B.C. Ferries.
Victoria is one of B.C.s tourism crown jewels, says Sherry
Baumgardner, Director of Marketing for Coast Hotels & Resorts.
With the growing influence of social media, we felt the time was
right to showcase Victoria by inviting members of the online
community to experience the many things to see and do in this
beautiful city.
"Partnering with Coast Hotels & Resorts on this unique press
trip was a natural thing to do," said Janet Carson, Vice President,
Marketing & Travel Services for B.C. Ferries. "In this modern
digital era, embracing social media is vital as its clearly making
a significant impact on the awareness of travel products globally
and it strongly supports our traditional media efforts."
The bloggers day will start at 8:30 a.m. on Friday, June 19th with
coffee at the Tsawwassen Quay Market before boarding B.C. Ferries
new Coastal Celebration ferry bound for Victoria. Landing in Swartz
Bay, the group will be whisked to the Sea Cider Farm & Cider
House where theyll raise a glass of traditional fermented cider
paired with organic cheese and other local delectable treats.
From there, the bloggers will check into the Coast Victoria
Harbourside & Marina on the citys inner habour. In the evening,
theyll attend the 15th annual B.C. Wine and Oyster Fest at the Blue
Crab Bar & Grill in support of the Greater Victoria Eldercare
Foundation. Guests will sample fine B.C. wines and ales along with
fresh or Bar-B-Qued oysters and seafood, a selection of bread,
cheeses and deli meats topped off with a chocolate fondue all
against the musical backdrop of Beatles cover band The Sutcliffes.
On Saturday, the bloggers will meet for breakfast at the Blue Crab
Bar & Grill before visiting the Royal B.C. Museum for a special
tour of Treasures: The Worlds Cultures from the British Museum
exhibit which explores nations and civilizations that have shaped
history for almost 1.5 million years. The exhibit includes
million-year-old hand axes found in Africas Olduvai Gorge, a
3,000-year-old mummy and a throne built of decommissioned weapons
from Mozambiques late-20th century civil war, among other
fascinating artifacts. Then its off to the inner harbour to board a
Victoria Harbour Ferry bound for Spinnakers Gastro Brewpub for a
luncheon of west coast fare jointly hosted by Tourism Victoria and
Spinnakers. After experiencing the hospitality of Spinnakers, the
bloggers will be free to explore the many attractions Victoria has
to offer including whale watching, Chinatown, Silk Road
Aromatherapy & Tea Company, the Art Gallery of Greater Victoria
and Victorias many fine restaurants.
About Coast Hotels & Resorts
Coast Hotels & Resorts is a leading hotel chain in
western North America. The company's philosophy of serving its
guests through a superior standard of value, hospitality and
service enables its continuing expansion. Coast Hotels &
Resorts now owns, manages and franchises 41 hotel and resort
properties located throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Northwest
Territories, the Western United States, Alaska and Hawaii. Visit
www.coasthotels.com or call 1-800-663-1144 for more information.
About The Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel &
Marina
Coast Hotels & Resorts' Coast Victoria Harbourside Hotel is
located on the beautiful Victoria inner harbour and is one of the
most popular Victoria hotels. The Coast Victoria hotel has a
captivating waterfront location with a public marina and the only
indoor/outdoor swimming pool in Victoria. The award-winning Blue
Crab Bar & Grill seafood restaurant features an extensive wine
selection and has been the recipient of the Wine Speculators Award
of Excellence for five consecutive years. Visit
www.coastvictoriaharboursidehotel.com
or
www.bluecrab.ca for more information.
About B.C. Ferries
First launched in 1960 as a two vessel, two terminal operation,
B.C. Ferries has grown into one of the largest, most sophisticated
ferry transportation systems in the world. Its fleet of 36 vessels
serves a diverse range of communities - up to 47 ports of call -
offering a full range of tourism experiences- along the coast of
British Columbia, Canada. For information on travel planning,
schedules, and fares, people may go to
www.bcferries.com.
-end-
For additional information, please contact:
Martin Livingston
Living Communications Inc.
Vancouver
604-657-8234