International visitors to British Columbia will enjoy top level service and information in the brand new Peace Arch Gateway Visitors Centre starting in February 2009, Premier Gordon Campbell announced today.

Premier Campbell unveiled the design of the new $4.6-million building during his address to the Council of Tourism Associations' annual conference in Vancouver. Most of the 4,800-square-foot space - 85 per cent - will be public space. Special features include a theatre, currency exchange service and flags of B.C.'s neighbours Washington, Oregon and California.

"Construction of new Gateway Visitor Centres will further promote summer and winter destinations across B.C., helping to build an even stronger B.C. tourism industry and provincial economy," said Campbell. "This centre is a fitting first introduction to the wide range of tourism and cultural experiences B.C. has to offer guests from the United States."

The Peace Arch Gateway Visitors Centre is designed after a First Nations Semiahmoo winter dwelling. From the air, the footprint of the building is based on one of B.C.'s Gulf Islands. Features will include structural and decorative indigenous forest elements featuring B.C. tree species, mountains and rivers. It will be built to LEED Gold standards.

"The improved Gateway Visitor Centres have a tangible economic benefit," said Stan Hagen, Minister of Tourism, Sport and the Arts. "Based on interviews with travellers, we know that having a visitors centre prompts tourists to stay longer and make return trips, thus leveraging B.C.'s assets to their greatest advantage. The Peace Arch Centre is a key link to British Columbia as a world-class destination."

"Across the province, our Gateway Visitor Centres are providing a welcoming, informative first stop for visitors entering B.C.," said Rod Harris, CEO of Tourism BC. "This new centre will not only showcase what B.C. has to offer to some of the millions of visitors who come here, but the building itself becomes part of our message."

Tourism British Columbia currently operates six provincial gateway visitor information centres: Peace Arch Border Crossing, Vancouver International Airport (domestic and international), Mt. Robson Provincial Park, Osoyoos, Golden and Coquihalla (Merritt). The centres offer highly trained, professional counsellors, state of the art technology, reservations, ticketing and retail opportunities including Super, Natural British Columbia products, currency exchange, food and beverage, and rest room facilities.

Office of the Premier
Ministry of Tourism, Sport and the Arts
NEW GATEWAY VISITOR CENTRE TO WELCOME GUESTS TO B.C.