and stage the most incredible spectacle BC has ever experienced.
What you NEED TO KNOW before you arrive »»
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Vancouver and Whistler are
preparing to host the 2010 Olympics and stage the most incredible spectacle BC has ever experienced. What you NEED TO KNOW before you arrive »» |
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 News Weather & Inside Trading Olympic ATHLETES & Entourage come to COMPETE & MEET while SPORTS FANS come to PLAY in Vancouver and Whistler what you need to know Vancouver SHOPPING Insider TradeTIPS on Vancouver and Whistler Hotels ¤ Food ¤ Shopping Activities ¤ Services When 250,000 frenzied sports spectators show up overnight it's like a packed train headin' downtown with blown brakes. When the switch flips raw energy takes over and dumps thousands of writhing bodies into the street in an endless stream and a feeding frenzy of fun, fashion and debauchery. It goes from zero to zoo in a heartbeat. Olympics organizations herd spectators like cowboys herd cattle. We all want you to come here and have a great time, but the reality is that too many corporate types ruin the party and choose what you see, buy, and think ... and they tell you when to do it, plus, all too often overcharge and in some cases even gouge trusting tourists mercilessly. Don't fall for the corporate caper ... |
OLYMPIC TICKETS click here WALKING TOUR & WINDOW SHOPPING click 1 :: 2 :: Airport to Downtown Directions 2010 CLOCK Canada's Northern House MAP Downtown Vancouver CANADA PAVILLION LiveCity Downtown Celebration Site Four Host Nations Pavilion MAP French Quarter (Granville Island) MAP Sochi House (Russia 2014) MAP Holland Heineken House MAP David Lam Park MAP Nightly Medal Award Ceremony - $22 Musical Headliners Alberta House MAP Bombardier Streetcar Streetcar Olympic Line Scandinavia House Atlantic Canada House MAP CentrePlace Manitoba MAP Saskatchewan Pavilion Irish House MAP German Saxony House MAP LiveCity Yaletown MAP House of Switzerland O-Zone Richmond Laser Waterworks Show Laser Light Show ::::::::::: Whistler Events |
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| Check out this video to find out where to shop in Vancouver ... You can watch this VIDEO in High Quality - just hit the HQ icon above For starters, VISA is the official and only credit card accepted by Olympics sanctioned businesses, so if you've got it, bring it. I'm not sure why in this era of consumer options Olympics organizations still so foolishly promote this monopoly, but unfortunately they do, so be prepared. Fortunately though ... if your goal is to purchase or do something out of the ordinary, and it is non-Olympics related most local independent businesses accept a wide range of cards, including debit. Smart consumers steer clear of the corporate money-grab, but if you really need something with an official Olympics logo on it, be prepared to dig deep. Middle-of-the-road Olympics events and shops will be shoulder-to-shoulder writhing masses of touristy people. If you don't mind waiting in line or paying exorbitant prices for run-of-the-mill Canadian tourist kitsch made in China, simply follow the slow snaking crowds to the government co-managed Olympics hot spots. In Canada, Olympic organizations partner with all three levels of government. However, if you're interested in unique adventures, experiences, and hidden treasures, you have extraordinary options, but only if you do your homework and a bit of research online well before you arrive. Don't show up unprepared. It costs a fortune to promote and produce an Olympics event, but what most people don't realize is that Olympics spectators and tourists carry a large portion of the economic load. Most people assume because official Olympics sponsors like VISA and GM generate such incredible promotional value and revenue from the Games they also cover the bulk of the costs, but they don't. Tourists and local taxpayers do ... It's YOU ... so shop carefully. Olympic organizations know they have you trapped, and it's getting better, but in the past they have been notorious for overcharging and gouging spectators. Many products and services will be overpriced, especially food and accommodations. If it has an official Olympics logo on it, or anywhere near it, you could pay top dollar and then some. Look carefully at the tag and comparison shop online. The new trend is for sports spectators to buy more personal mementos reflective of their overall experience, which means it's not as cool as it used to be to walk around with the logo of a large corporation or the rings and torch emblazoned across your chest. Also ... no one wants to dress as a target for terrorists. Leave Olympics branded trinkets for the kids at home. Buy yourself a locally made keepsake that will become an heirloom with long lasting meaning. Keep in mind too Olympics merchandise in the recent past has been manufactured in Asian sweatshops, which gives you even more incentive to shop ethically. Also remember that some materials from China might not even be safe to have against your skin ... choose wisely. Many local independent (non-Olympics) businesses in Vancouver and Whistler produce their products right here in British Columbia, and some of them even do it in facilities attached to their retail outlets. Vancouver's local jewelry, artwork and furniture are world class. Products made from fine hardwood are often very high quality at a reasonable price. In 2006, according to BC's Auditor General, the 2010 Olympics budget ballooned from $587 thousand to over $2.5 billion, and in 2009 it shot up to $6 BILLION - Yikes!! Costs are still growing and have crippled the region. As taxes rise it's become very hard for local artisans to survive so they lower prices, which means you can find great deals - shop around. Vancouver is now the most expensive city in Canada in which to live - so bring money ... lots of it. Local businesses are lumbering under 2010 weight. Some have even been forced to move their operations as a result of a high cost of living driven by Olympic frenzy, which means retailers with local goods will go way out of their way to be competitive ... and then some. There are deals to be had. Seek them out online before you arrive Olympics organizations struggle too, but increasing prices knowing spectators will buy anything with a corporate logo on it ... isn't cool. Some people aren't too selective, which is why McDonalds has been the Olympics food-of-choice for years. In many Vancouver restaurants you can by a fresh Japanse meal with salad, soup and sushi cheaper than buying a McDonald's burger or chicken combo. Why KFC when you can SUSHI! Independent businesses have a plan designed to work for tourists, not against them. Local independent businesses know they have to survive long after Olympics organizations leave town, so it gives them great incentive to make sure tourists have a good experience, which encourages you to come back. Independent businesses bend over backwards to provide great products and services at a reasonable price. They know they'll be here tomorrow when Olympics organizations move on to London in 2012 and to Sochi Russia in 2014. A number of select local businesses are developing Olympics-inspired offerings official Olympics organizations and their partners cannot or sometimes will not supply. You also won't find oppressive crowds or gouging at most independent retailers, but there are exceptions so please shop carefully. If you do a bit of homework before you arrive you can unearth a wide variety of hidden treasures, but I can't emphasize enough you have to be extremely careful. Go online to sites like this or poke around on Twitter and contact business owners directly through their websites to learn more about their Olympic event related incentives. Some retailers will offer substantial discounts if you show up with a ticket for a hockey or snowboarding event, plus an airline ticket or hotel receipt. Basically, you just have to prove you're here for the big event. If you can prove you're here in an Olympics related capacity, either as a spectator or participant, and from out of town, many will make it worth your while. Some even offer special COUPONS you can print at home and bring with you or find through TWITTER while you're here day of. Your best course of action is to PLAN PLAN PLAN !!! TIPS: General Weather Transportation Safety Shopping See you soon, and if you have questions, please contact us here! Check out our Newsletter - It's FREE!! blog comments powered by Disqus         Mouseover thumbnails for a mini PHOTO TOUR and a FREE offer |
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