For Immediate Release August 27, 2003“Not Available in Victoria, . . . Pity”The Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance (VICTA) announces the release of the Vancouver Island Cycling Map, to promote the island as a cycling tourism destination. Worldwide growth in active travel is a perfect fit for “the Cycling Capital of Canada”. The VICTA Cycling Map & Guide will only be distributed off-island, as it is designed as a beautiful and effective “lure piece”, to draw active visitors here. The Map is enthusiastically sponsored by Island tourism operators, including hotels, restaurants, attractions, cycle tour/rental operators. VICTA, a non-profit group, has been successfully promoting our island as the cycle tourism destination of the Pacific Northwest for over three years. The VICTA Map features island routes, attractions and services useful for visitors planning a cycling trip or likely to climb on one of the hundreds of bicycles available for rental on the island. An expanding network of trails and bike friendly facilities in Victoria, Nanaimo, Qualicum to Parksville are proving popular with local riders and an easy sell to a growing active travel market. 30,000 copies of the map will be distributed by direct mail, and through info centres and other outlets across the Pacific Northwest. Next year’s Pro Walk/Pro Bike conference (September 7 to 11th, 2004, Victoria Conference Centre), is expected to bring 700 delegates to the capital. The new map will be included in promotions to support attendance at the conference. Extended stays and family holidays are already proving a significant attraction for those planning to attend. Weather, route choices and geography sketches on the Map are backed by an active website, www.cyclevancouverisland.ca where more detailed maps are listed for sale or free distribution, and extensive information sources have been assembled to support trip planning for cyclists and other island visitors. VICTA is also providing a voice for members to champion the development of cycling friendly facilities. For Sooke, and the Saanich peninsula, the Galloping Goose and Lochside trails are literally pumping new visitors into their communities. VICTA’s mission includes preserving and promoting the development of facilities across the region to strengthen the industry. From trails to trails – the Goose and a growing constellation of destination mountain bike parks are emerging around the island for sport cyclists attracted by the trails and a growing list of first-rate events centred on island locales. Sport Host, a legacy of Victoria’s Commonwealth Games, provides support to help sell the active profile the new Vancouver Island is all about. A new buzz on Vancouver Island is showing up in media. From gentle recreational cycling through the Cowichan Wine Country to hard core bike acrobatics on trails training Canada’s mountain bike Olympians, the island is getting storied from New York to Florida and Vancouver to Toronto. The Map and Guide and the VICTA initiative are modeled after successful strategies growing cycle tourism in other jurisdictions, few who can compete with the Island for natural assets. VICTA is building on the product through its web listings and member services. Island businesses interested in more information about the Vancouver Island Cycle Tourism Alliance should contact coordinator, John Luton or Chair, Brian Hobson. Contact:
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