June 21, 2010 - Tour groups in Stanley Park this summer will be treated to a distinctly Aboriginal experience as The Vancouver Trolley Company has teamed up with the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC to turn their Stanley Park Shuttle service into an Aboriginal-themed tour where they will encourage visitors to visit the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park exhibit.
The Vancouver Trolley Company’s fleet of red replica trolleys will again provide a Stanley Park Shuttle around Stanley Park with a focus on local Aboriginal stories and history. The Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC, which has developed the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park exhibit, will provide Aboriginal interpreters onboard the trolleys to provide educational and entertaining commentary along the route.
“This is a great example of members of the tourism industry coming together to create a unique and entertaining cultural tourism experience neither partner could have provided on their own,” said Jim Storie, President and CEO of The Vancouver Trolley Company. We are always striving to provide innovative tours of Vancouver to visitors and residents alike. Working with the Aboriginal Tourism Association and their Klahowya Village Stanley Park gives us another way to show off our City and its culture. We’re looking forward to a successful summer and a long, beneficial partnership.”
The Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC will hire and train Klahowya Village uniformed interpreters to provide commentary on the trolleys, an opportunity association CEO Keith Henry considers an opportunity to “further cultivate and develop the growing Aboriginal tourism industry in British Columbia”.
“We’re dedicated to a healthy and prosperous Aboriginal tourism industry that doesn’t just exceed visitor expectations, but is also a respectful and culturally authentic experience,” said Henry. “By developing this industry, we’re providing Aboriginal people and communities an opportunity for employment that’s meaningful and helping fuel the revitalization of Aboriginal cultures all across British Columbia. I’m very excited to work with the The Vancouver Trolley Company and looking forward to a memorable summer for both our organizations.”
The Vancouver Trolley Company will provide a minimum of three trolleys per day to provide a shuttle service around Stanley Park. Those trolleys will carry advertising, inside and out, that promotes the Aboriginal Tourism industry in BC and the Klahowya Village in Stanley Park experience. Each partner benefits from revenue generated, plus the associated marketing, promotions and new audiences.
The Klahowya Village in Stanley Park runs for 67 days from July 1, 2010 through September 6, 2010. The Klahowya Village is a cultural visitor experience that merges traditional artisan village elements with contemporary Aboriginal experiences and authentic art, culture and traditions. Klahowya Village programming will include a themed mini train experience, cultural dance performances, Aboriginal cuisine, plus many activities for the family.
For more information about the Klahowya Village and the Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC visit www.aboriginalbc.com
The Vancouver Trolley Company is a locally owned tour and transportation company best known for their Hop-On, Hop-off City Attractions Tour using replica San Francisco trolleys. The company has been providing this service since 1991 and has grown steadily through their participation in innovative partnerships with many local attractions. Jim and Karen Storie have owned The Vancouver Trolley Company since 1996.
Media Contacts:
Jim Storie
The Vancouver Trolley Company
604 801-5515 local 108
jim@vancouvertrolley.com
Keith Henry
Aboriginal Tourism Association of BC
604 921-1070
khenry@aboriginalbc.com
