Vancouver: In an effort to increase business and maintain a leadership position in the Alaska cruise market, the Vancouver Port Authority, in partnership with the Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR), has launched a new "U.S. Direct" strategic initiative for the start of the 2005 cruise season. The initiative streamlines passenger processing and improves transit times through Vancouver.

"U.S. Direct strengthens our competitive position by making Vancouver a more attractive departure point for passengers travelling to Alaska and demonstrates the value of working with our partners at YVR and government agencies," said Gordon Houston, President and CEO of the Vancouver Port Authority. "This initiative would not have succeeded without the support of Canada Border Services Agency and U.S. Customs and Border Protection."

The U.S. Direct initiative allows passengers arriving at YVR to transfer directly to a same-day-departing cruise ship without clearing customs, and U.S. Direct also works in reverse. Passengers arriving on a cruise and flying out of YVR on the same day disembark the ship and are transferred to YVR without passing through Canada Border Services Agency and immigration at the cruise terminal. Upon arrival at YVR, these passengers enter the airport through a designated cruise ship facility. Procedures are in place to ensure a passenger can be seen by either government authority should the need arise.

"The cruise business is a vital part of our economy directly generating $566 million in economic output and 13,000 jobs each year. We must work together to develop ways to maintain and grow our business," said Houston. "This includes the Cruise BC initiative, a collaborative effort between coastal communities and ports to transform Canadas Inside Passage into a new, world-class destination in its own right."

Enhanced marketing efforts to the travel industry are also part of the long-term strategy employed by the VPA and its partners Tourism Vancouver, Tourism British Columbia and the Vancouver International Airport Authority.

Stephen Pearce, Vice President, Leisure Travel and Destination Management, Tourism Vancouver, states that future success will involve positioning Vancouver as an essential part of the overall cruise experience. "Vancouver is far more than just a port. As a vibrant cosmopolitan city, we offer a breadth of tremendous experiences in a spectacular natural setting. We want our customers to know that their once in a lifetime experience starts with a visit to Vancouver."

Vancouver's 2005 cruise season begins Sunday, April 24, with the arrival of Holland America's Statendam. Two hundred and seventy-three sailings aboard 30 ships are expected this year, affirming Vancouver as a leader in the Alaska cruise market.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading $29 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies each year. Port activities generate 62,000 jobs in total with $1.6 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $3.5 billion in economic output.

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For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
(604) 665-9069 (office)
(604) 665-9073 (fax)
(604) 218-1403 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

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