Success of US Direct Program Improves Competitive Position

Vancouver, B.C. - The departure of the Norwegian Spirit from Vancouver today marks the end of the 2005 Vancouver-Alaska cruise season. The Vancouver Port Authority estimates 910,300 revenue passengers on 272 vessel calls departed and arrived through the Port of Vancouver in 2005, representing a two per cent decrease in passengers over 2004.

The 2005 season included new programs introduced to strengthen Vancouver's competitive position for the future and the port received high marks from passengers for programs and service.

In June the port launched its US Direct program, enabling passengers arriving at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) from the US to transfer directly to a same-day-departing cruise ship by participating in an expedited immigration and customs clearance process. US Direct also works in reverse, as passengers arriving on a cruise and flying out of Vancouver on the same day disembark the ship and are transferred directly to YVR by participating in the new clearance process. Upon arrival at YVR, these passengers enter the airport through a designated cruise ship facility. With 80 per cent of passengers being American, the program has wide appeal. "We have to work extra hard in Vancouver to offset competition from Seattle. US Direct is one initiative that helps us compete," said Gordon Houston, President and Chief Executive Officer of the Vancouver Port Authority.

The 2005 Vancouver Alaska Cruise Passenger Survey, conducted by InterVistas Consulting, gave the US Direct program a satisfaction score of 4.7 out of 5.0. Survey results in other areas include overall experience at the port (4.5), courtesy of port staff (4.7), check-in process (4.5) and overall atmosphere (4.4).

Approximately 200,000 people, or 22 per cent of all cruise passengers travelling through Vancouver, took part in the program in 2005. "We are delighted with receiving such a high level of participation in the first year of a program and, more importantly, passengers' high level of satisfaction with US Direct," said Houston.

While US Direct is an important component of a strategy to maintain Vancouver's lead in the Alaska cruise market, other initiatives intended to enhance this destination's offerings are also in place. According to Stephen Pearce, Vice President, Leisure Travel and Destination Management at Tourism Vancouver, cruise lines in Vancouver are looking
at an increasing number of pre and post-cruise packages that create profile and longer stays in the city. "Our strategy is to position Vancouver as an integral part of the overall cruise experience," said Pearce. "Making consumers aware of the tremendous value offered by Vancouver before they make a booking decision allows us to influence
their decision to include the city in their travel plans."

The Vancouver Port Authority is also partnering with other BC port cities transforming Canada's Inside Passage into a new cruise itinerary in its own right. The initiative, known as Cruise BC, saw Vancouver as a port of call for Celebrity Cruise Lines' Mercury, with the ship providing six sailings this year in the fall season to ports in BC, with three stopping in Vancouver.

The Port of Vancouver is Canada's largest and most diversified port, trading $43 billion in goods with more than 90 trading economies annually. Port activities generate 69,200 jobs in total with $4 billion in Gross Domestic Product and $8.9 billion in economic output.

-30


For more information, please contact:

Anne McMullin,
Director, Corporate Communications and Public Affairs
Vancouver Port Authority
604.665.9069 (office)
604.665.9073 (fax)
778.231.6978 (cellular)
anne.mcmullin@portvancouver.com

For more information:
For more information on any of these stories, call 1-888 PORTVAN.
Or, send an email to:
public_affairs@portvancouver.com