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Our newest Marketing Magazine Candid
Camera at
Globe 2010, Vancouver |
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BC
Media Centre, Vancouver during the 2010 Winter
Olympics and Paralympic Games. Having been active during
the 2010 Olympics and Paralympic Games and Globe
2010, our attention now turns to three major events
coming to Vancouver - and taking place a few blocks
from our door. This is definitely Vancouver's year
and we are proud to show our city to the world -
most especially our friends from Africa. Our
magazine has covered every
Globe Foundation
event since the
organization began and await each new occasion with
great anticipation. We feel there are many great
ideas and applications for Africa - much of which
applies to its tourism and transportation sectors.
If you would like to explore this topic further
please
write the
Editor.
Coming events we invite you
to include the
World Culinary Expo
in May, followed
by the Cruise3Sixty
Expo in June, and
the
World
Airline
Industry Routes Forum
in September. You
can click to view videos of each of these exciting
events. We have welcomed African delegations and
visitors many times , one of the most impressive
was the United Nations WORLD
URBAN FORUM where
we toured several groups of African mayors. The
Africa Travel Association Canada Chapter welcomes
you as a member and provides FULL SUPPORT in your
business - locally and at events around the world.
This edition covers past and future events where
the ATA CANADA CHAPTER played a key role. To apply
for membership click
here - or contact
us direct - airhwy@smartt.
com Africa's Active Mayors
Are Ambassadors Abroad What a memorable week. After
30 years United Nations Habitat returned to the
seaport city of Vancouver, British Columbia Canada.
as over 10,000 delegates participated in the UN
World Urban Forum 3. Since many were from Africa,
our editors had the pleasure of taking several
groups of mayors from different African countries
on a cultural tour - our way to repay the wonderful
hospitality we have enjoyed in fourteen years with
the Africa Travel Association as its media voice in
North America and Worldwide. The twin goals of UN
Habitat are "Adequate shelter for all" and
"sustainable human settlements development in an
urbanizing world. " We carried the message for
Africa Tourism and its ability to reduce poverty,
enhance the environment and generate long term
employment. More-> (Continued below) |
Marketing
to North America and Asia Pacific|
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ATA Canada
Chapter Africa Travel
Magazine African
Embassies African
Canadians |
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African Canadian Heritage The African Canadian Heritage Association is an African Heritage and language program operating out of a new location at Centennial College Progress Campus (at Markham Rd. and Hwy 401) The ACHA program features African history lessons, arts and crafts, special events for students, who range in age from 5 to 16 years of age. Classes run from September to June. Most notable ACHA special events include : the Youth Retreat (for children 11 Years and older ). Entrepreneur's Day and the Black History Challenge. Africans in Vancouver Area Africans, estimated at some 20,000 to 30,000 in the Lower Mainland, tend to organize themselves into social and cultural groups based on their national origin. However, efforts have been made to organize them under a broader, single association embracing Africans from all over the African continent without regard to their race, nationality or ethnic or cultural backgrounds. In 1983 the African-Canadian Association of British Columbia was formed. Alberta rancher John Ware, Vancouver icons Joe Fortes and Harry Jerome, jazz pianist Oscar Peterson, and many more. Watch for this special feature. CANADA'S PARTNERSHIP WITH AFRICA Hon. Peter Mackay, Minister of Foreign Affairs, Canada. Our presence in Dartmouth today underlines the Coady Institute's international convening power, as well as the importance of microcredit and the integration of women and youth as partners for the future of Africa. The Institute and CIDA's Youth Actions' International Youth Internship Program sponsored 10 young leaders. The goal is to develop and support innovative and effective programs that build a sense of global citizenship and empower and inspire Canadian youth to be active in poverty reduction, health, education and social services promotion. This year, Canadian interns worked in places like Kenya and Ethiopia. Nova Scotia has, of course, a place in African history. It was to Halifax and other areas of the province that former slaves fled from the United States seeking their freedom following the War of Independence. And it was from Halifax in the late 18th century that they set sail to found Freetown, Sierra Leone. Even today you can see the influence of the style of houses, the street names and places in that country. And here in Nova Scotia, African descendants make up one of the pillars of our society along with Aboriginal, Acadian and European peoples. For a small province, we are rich in culture and diversity tapestry of multiculturalism. Late last year, Her Excellency Right Honourable Michelle Jean, Governor General of Canada, paid her first series of State visits to five African countries at the request of the Prime Minister of Canada, the Right Honourable Stephen Harper. Canada's future partnerships, whether diplomatic, security-related, developmental or private sector, will recognize African leadership and African ownership, along with mutual responsibility and accountability. In the spirit of the New Partnership for Africa's Development, which we support, and under the African Union, Africa is increasingly taking charge of its own destiny. Canada has been one of the top contributors to the African Union Mission in Sudan and will continue to provide critical support until a transition to an African Union-UN mission can be accomplished.
The Adventure Travel World Summit held at Whistler Resort north of Vancouver Our editors joined hundreds from the cream of the Adventure Travel world at the Whistler Conference Centre, British Columbia, Canada. The ATTA Adventure Travel World Summit was designed to encourage open dialogue and candid discussions of challenging issues and visionary opportunities. This outstanding success led to the selection of Quebec Province as host of the Adventure Travel World Summit in October 2009. For more information visit our website - www.africa-ata.org/venues.htm or contact the editor and africa@smartt.com /
CLICK HERE FOR ARTICLES ON GLOBE 2010 AND 2012 .
Footloose
in Vancouver'
Recently, we walked Vancouver Harbor's new stretch of Seawall for the third time since the massive construction project began. From historic Gastown, we headed west to English Bay via the Pan Pacific Hotel and Canada Place Cruise Ship Centre, Coal Harbor Marina, Cardero's and the newly renovated Westin Bayshore Resort Hotel. Next time we'll continue the full stretch to Stanley Park (another 5 minutes) and beyond. What a marvelous change with all the landscaping, shops and upscale condos. I made my rendezvous at the Coast Hotel at English Bay in exactly 45 minutes, allowing for a leisurely pace. 5n my opinion, Vancouver's West end extends from Burrard Street to English Bay, taking in Coal Harbor, Stanley Park, Lions Gate Bridge, English Bay, Sunset Beach and the entrance to False Creek at Burrard Bridge. On a tight schedule? Save a few minutes via SkyTrain, from Waterfront Station (by Canada Place) to Burrard Station, with transfers to BC Transit buses. Otherwise it's more fun walking, with lots to see and do. From cruising the
fjords to cruising the streets On the corner, the Marine Building stands like a royal guard, its 1930s art deco facade every bit as elegant as it was I attended the Faulkner Smith Art School there years ago as an aspiring cartoonist. Once touted as Vancouver's skyscraper, tallest in the British Empire at the time, it's now dwarfed by the glass towers of the city's growing financial district. On the Marine Building's ground floor is the Imperial Chinese Seafood Restaurant, one of the classiest oriental dining spots in town, graced by a sweeping harbor view, with float planes, helijets and marine craft of every description. A snowcapped mountain backdrop completes the panorama. Here at the foot of Burrard Street, you might start your trek after a quick stop at at the Tourism Vancouver Info Center, leaving with some maps and brochures. And as you look at the float planes landing from Victoria, Nanaimo and points beyond, you'll spot a new stretch of seawalk that links the downtown's waterfront hotels with Stanley Park, English Bay and False Creek. We took the walk and viewed the upscale housing developments near the Westin Bayshore Hotel and Coal Harbor. Naturally, we stopped at the Marina and Carderos, a new waterfront restaurant that's got class, a reputation for great food, and a million dollar view.
During this 3-day event,
we've conducted interviews with delegates from Cameroon,
South Africa and Ghana. Interest in Africa by Canadian
government and industry sources is high, and many exhibitors
and participants from Globe 2004 plan to participate in the
coming event. Africa Travel Magazine will produce a special
supplement "Eco Solutions" for that event , plus our
"Ecotourism Showcase" edition. An Eco success story of
international proportions involves Mamsco, a
Ghana-based company which has developed a major system
step-by-step over the past 10 years. Recognized at highest
government levels and leaders of ECOWAS, the project now
includes 16 West African Countries. The company's pilot
project ; a Waste Oil Treatment Plant at the Tema Port
facility near Accra, Ghana will be replicated in the 15
other West African countries under the auspices of UNEDO's
"Gulf Current Large Marine Ecosystems"
project
Lotus Land's laid-back
lifestyle Head for the nearest water or green space and you'll see that West Enders are more into tennis, water sports and physical fitness than their fellow Canadians. They read, shop and dine out more often too ... and take longer coffee and cappuccino breaks. Small wonder Starbucks and Pastels dominate 3 corners at Robson and Thurlow, or that the local Bread Garden is Denman's top spot. Next to Manhattan Island, Vancouver's West End is the continent's most densely populated residential area, yet one of its most relaxed, laid back inner-city communities. Speaking of Manhattan ... a gingerbread apartment block of that same name still stands at the above-mentioned corner. It houses a secluded Italian cafe and a neat bookstore, built for those with narrow shoulders. Rivaling Hong Kong and Rio de Janeiro as the world's most beautiful physical setting, Vancouver has become Hollywood North, ranking third after LA and New York as a film and TV production center. The West End alone has more unique locations and beautiful backdrops than anywhere else in the city. Visitors are attracted to the city for the same reasons most residents remain ... a spectacular outdoor setting, a clean and safe urban environment and a culture that celebrates and invites diversity. For centuries this area was home to the Coast Salish people of the Musqueam, Kwantlen, Tsawwassen and Capilano bands as reflected by the totems standing proudly in Stanley Park. It was these tribes who greeted Captain George Vancouver in 1792. His comment must have referred to the forest and mountain backdrop of Burrard Inlet., "This is the most lovely country that could be imagined." I n the late 1880s, Vancouver's first mayor drafted a petition to lease a 1,000 acre military reserve from the federal government ... an area that later became Stanley Park. Named for Governor General Lord Stanley, it's Canada's largest urban park, with its string of inner-city beaches and miles of walking trails that skirt Beaver Lake and Lost Lagoon, with its fountain of dancing waters and graceful swans. Stands of stately Douglas fir, cedar and hemlock grow in profusion along with a jungle-like growth of ferns. Open 365 days a year, the Vancouver Aquarium in Stanley Park features killer and beluga whales, dolphins and sea otters ... a total of 650 species. There's underwater whale viewing and outdoor terraces (Information line 604-268-9900). One of my top perennial attractions is Theatre Under the Stars, where local performances of Broadway shows and operettas fill the summer evenings with song at Malkin Bowl. The surrounding gardens, statues and 1920s Pavilion are as beautiful as ever. Returning to Vancouver after a twenty year absence, this is one venue that continues to remind me of Stanley Park at its greatest. There's no better place for a picnic than Stanley Park, with a profusion of specialty shops, food markets and delis on nearby streets. The inner-city's most
popular loop Leaving the park at English Bay, the seawall continues on to Sunset Beach, Vancouver Aquatic Center and Burrard Bridge, connecting to a network of urban trails on both shores of False Creek, site of Expo '86. Stanley Park Cycle is on Robson near Denman, Bayshore Bicycle & Skate Rentals has locations at both entrances to Stanley Park. Give yourself plenty of time, from 2 to 4 hours. Westin Bayshore Resort Hotel: We had the privilege of being invited along with the who's who of Vancouver, to help the Westin Bayshore celebrate its official reopening after a multi million dollar renovation. As a follow-up, we enjoyed a seafood dinner at the Seawall Bar & Bistro, on the site of the former Trader Vics. The Seawall offers one of the world's most breathtaking panoramas - Coal Harbor Marina and Stanley Park, Alaska Cruise ships pulling into dock at Canada Place, float planes and helijets taking off, and a splendid new waterfront promenade. The Bayshore has been a favorite for decades; now now there's even more reason to recommend this great inner city resort hotel. Call 800-WESTIN-1 or visit or www.westinbayshore.com. The Sands of English Bay: From English Bay and adjoining beaches, you can see a panorama of tanker ships and freighters awaiting unloading by a fleet of tugboats, sailboats of every description, kayaks, canoes, power boats, float planes, helicopters, wind surfers and paragliders. Multicolored water taxis skim the waves from the Aquatic Center on Beach Avenue to Vancouver Maritime Museum at Kitsilano Point and on to Granville Island. Over 3,000 foreign ships dock at Vancouver's sheltered port each year &emdash; and all can be seen coming and going from one of many West End vantage points. Footloose travelers from near and far, agree that the West End's best known rendezvous for the young and young at heart, is the corner of Davie and Denman Streets. Shangri-La selects Vancouver for new luxury hotel Asian Pacific's leading luxury hotel group, Shangri-La Hotels and Resorts, is supporting its expansion with a management agreement for a five-star deluxe hotel in Vancouver slated for opening early 2007. Set in the heart of downtown Vancouver, the hotel is an easy walk to all amenities. Occupying fifteen floors of a new
60-story landmark building, the 120-room hotel will be the
tallest in Vancouver with cutting edge architectural design.
The entire multi purpose complex will showcase the best of
cosmopolitan West Coast life. Guest rooms will be an average
of 550 square feet and amongst the largest in
Canada. YVR Offers $300 Million for Rapid Transit Vancouver International Airport Authority (YVR) is prepared to invest up to $300 million to build the airport portion of the proposed rapid transit line between Richmond, downtown Vancouver and the Vancouver International Airport. The YVR connector portion - approximately 4km (2.5 miles) of the 19.5 km (12.2 miles) line - would include between three to five airport stops to accommodate people working at the airport, as well as arriving and departing passengers. |
Having
been footloose in Vancouver, British Columbia since the days
of streetcars, interurban trams, White Lunch Cafeteria on
Hastings, Woodwards Toyland and Union Steamships, I consider
the West End my special domain. Morning, noon or night, it's
always an inviting place for rubber neckers, casual
strollers, browsers, grazers and window shoppers. A sea of
umbrellas one moment, local denizens decked in everything
from beachwear to high fashion the next. It's a passing
parade, minus the 76 trombones-just waiting for you to
follow along.