Vancouver Meeting Planners Guide 2008-2009 - (Page 10) General Information Photography (left to right): Tourism Vancouver Visitor Centre ©Tourism Vancouver/Chris Mason Stearns; Satellite Visitor Centre ©Tourism Vancouver/Chris Mason Stearns Canada Customs & Entry Regulations Citizens or permanent residents of the United States are required to verify citizenship when entering Canada. Acceptable documents proving citizenship include U.S. passports and certified copies of U.S. birth certificates. Alien permanent residents of the United States must present their Alien Registration Card (“Green Card”). A driver’s licence, voter’s registration card or Social Security card is not valid proof of citizenship. U.S. visitors will also be required to verify their identity. Acceptable documents proving identityinclude a valid driver’s licence orU.S. passport. All Canadian and U.S. citizens travelling by air between the United States and Canada must have a valid passport or NEXUS card to enter (or reenter) the United States. For more information, visit the Canada Border Services Agency website at cbsaasfc.gc.ca. Visitors from other countries to Canada, including U.S. citizens entering Canada from another country, must have a valid passport and, depending on the country, a visitor’s visa (check with your local Canadian consulate or embassy). Population City of Vancouver: 611,000 Metro Vancouver: more than 2.2 million Metric Equivalents – Units Canada uses the international metric system. Length 1 kilometre = 0.6 mile 1 mile = 1.6 kilometre 1 centimetre = 0.39 inches 1 inch = 2.54 centimetres Capacity 1 litre = 1.06 U.S. quarts 1 U.S. quart = 0.95 litre Weight 1 kilogram = 2.2 pounds Approximate Mileage Conversions 50 kph = 30 mph 100 kph = 60 mph Climate Metro Vancouver has a very mild climate. In winter, it rarely snows in the city; summers are warm with cooler evenings. Weather – Average daily highs January February March April May June July August September October November December 5° C 7° C 10° C 14° C 18° C 21° C 23° C 23° C 18° C 14° C 9° C 6° C 42° F 44° F 50° F 58° F 65° F 69° F 74° F 74° F 65° F 58° F 48° F 43° F Services and Recreation for Disabled Travelers Vancouver enjoys a reputation for being one of the most accessible cities in the world among travellers with special needs. • Vancouver International Airport (YVR) exceeds the national and provincial building code standards for people with hearing, visual or mobility impairments. • The Satellite Visitor Centre has a wheelchair ramp and windows to accommodate disabled visitors. • All Vancouver taxi companies provide wheelchair-accessible vans. • For renting lift-equipped vans, contact the Canadian Paraplegic Association. 604.324.3611, canparaplegic.org • For BC Ferries, wheelchair users should request parking near the elevator at the time of ticket purchase. All washrooms and deck areas are accessible. The ferry route up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert also has accessible state rooms. 604.669.1211 • Greyhound Bus Lines has lift-equipped service from Vancouver to Kelowna, Calgary and Prince George, with stops in major centres along these routes. 800.661.8747 • Pacific Coach Lines offers accessible service between Vancouver and Victoria. 604.662.7575 • Rocky Mountaineer Vacations offers a twoday trip from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff with an overnight stay in an accessible hotel in Kamloops. 604.606.7245 • Of all modes of rail travel, Via Rail is one of the most responsive to passengers’ special needs. Services offered vary depending on stations and train facilities. 888.VIA.RAIL, 604.842.7245 GST Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive The Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program provides relief for GST with respect to the shortterm accommodation portion of tour packages for nonresident individuals and tour operators. For more information on this program, please visit the Canadian Revenue Agency website at cra-arc.gc.ca/tax/ nonresidents/visitors/. Time Zone Vancouver is in the Pacific Time Zone. Daylight Savings Time is in effect from 2am on the second Sunday in March until 2am on the first Sunday in November. British Columbia Holidays New Year’s Day Good Friday Easter Monday Victoria Day Canada Day B.C. Day Labour Day Thanksgiving Day Remembrance Day Christmas Day Boxing Day 2009 Jan. 1 April 10 April 13 May 18 July 1 Aug. 3 Sept. 7 Oct. 12 Nov. 11 Dec. 25 Dec. 26 2010 Jan. 1 April 2 April 5 May 24 July 1 Aug. 2 Sept. 6 Oct. 11 Nov. 11 Dec. 25 Dec. 26 Taxes Most purchases in British Columbia are subject to a sales tax totalling 12% of the purchase price. The provincial sales tax (PST) of 7% applies to all retail purchases with the exception of liquor, which is taxed at 10%. The goods and services tax (GST) is a value-added tax of 5% applicable to most purchased goods and services regardless of whether the buyer is a resident of Canada or a visitor to Canada. Except for campgrounds and houseboats, tourist accommodation rates quoted are subject to a 10% provincial hotel and motel room tax. Where approved, an additional 2% tourism tax is levied by the local Municipal Government. GST (5%) is also applied. Languages Spoken English and French are Canada’s two official languages. English is the predominant language spoken in British Columbia. Destination Marketing Fee Effective June 1, 2008, Vancouver hoteliers under the umbrella of the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association (VHDA) introduced a Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) to increase funding for the marketing of Vancouver as a destination. The DMF is collected and administered by the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association and applies to guest room rental for stays of fewer than 30 days. For further information please contact info@vanhda.ca or visit vanhda.ca. Visitor Centres Downtown Vancouver Plaza Level, 200 Burrard St. Vancouver, B.C. V6C 3L6 Open daily 8:30am–6pm. Satellite Visitor Centre Vancouver Art Gallery Plaza on Robson Street Hours vary seasonally. 10 t o u r i s m va n c o u ve r. c o m http://www.tourismvancouver.com
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