British Columbia border crossings at Douglas and Pacific Highway create a
warm welcome for visitors from the United States

VANCOUVER , Feb. 5 /CNW/ - British Columbia's two busiest land border crossings are set to welcome more of our American visitors and guests. As of today, all travellers coming through the Douglas and Pacific Highway ports of entry will be receiving a huge helping of Olympic spirit, along with fantastic imagery show-casing BC's extra-ordinary tourism experiences north of the 49th.

Welcome to Canada is a tourism-focused initiative led by the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). Tourism British Columbia has proudly joined this partnership to dress up and warm up these two key border crossings to welcome thousands of travellers a day, and to keep them exploring Canada .

"We hope the welcome at these two land crossings will help inspire our American visitors to explore Canada further and to enjoy all that our country has to offer," says the Honourable Rob Moore , Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism). "As the start of the Vancouver 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games draws near, we'll take every opportunity to share the Olympic sprit with our guests from the U.S."

The 2010 Winter Games have offered Canada the most exceptional opportunity to showcase and promote our tourism internationally. Closer to home, CBSA, CTC and Tourism BC want our American friends to come to Canada , feel welcome and enjoy the neighbourhood.

"As Canada's first face, the CBSA will play an important role in making this experience a safe and memorable one for all participants," said Blake Delgaty, CBSA Regional Director General, Pacific Region. "The CBSA has been preparing for this for over three years, and we are ready to meet the demands of this significant international event."

"These impressive images will help build excitement in tourists the moment they enter our province," said Kevin Krueger , Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts for British Columbia. "Our job is to deliver on the promise of these images, so that every visitor has a wonderful and memorable experience. I know our tourism industry is up to that challenge."

With today's launch, BC's three busiest ports of entry, including Vancouver International Airport, are now dressed up and truly ready to welcome to world. Together, they see more than 10 million travellers a year.

In 2009, the program was officially launched at Ottawa MacDonald-Cartier International Airport, and is now also in place at Toronto Pearson International Airport and Edmonton International Airport.

About the CTC

The CTC is Canada's national tourism marketing organization. Our vision is inspiring the world to explore Canada . With our partners in the tourism industry and the governments of Canada , the provinces and the territories, we advertise and market Canada in 12 countries around the world, conduct industry research and studies, and promote product and industry development. For daily updates on CTC initiatives, subscribe to CTC News, available through RSS feeds and by e-mail.

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For further information: Jitka Licenik, Corporate Communications Advisor, Canadian Tourism Commission, [phone], [email protected], www.mediacentre.canada.travel; Faith St John, Regional Communications Advisor, Canada Border Services Agency, [phone], [email protected], www.cbsa.gc.ca; David Greer, Communications Manager, Ministry of Tourism, Culture and the Arts, [phone]