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Victoria .
BC's
Capital and Gateway to Vancouver
Island
 One
never gets tired of a visit to Victoria any time of
year. Whether it's by conventional aircraft, a
Helijet
Sikorsky
whirlybird, a seaplane, ferry or catamaran, we say
that getting there is a big part of the fun. And
we've noticed a huge difference in transportation
service, facilities, options a we would still like
to see improved public transit service between the
airport, downtown and the various
communities.
What
most travel experts do not know is that Victoria
International Airport is already Canada's 9th
busiest. Victoria has been a lifestyle leader for
decades. Located on the Southern tip of Vancouver
Island, an area often called Canada's Banana Belt,
Greater Victoria averages over 2,000 hours of
sunshine and an annual precipitation average of
only 25 cm. Here, flowers bloom year-round, as
witnessed by the world famous Butchart Gardens, and
hanging flower baskets on downtown street
corners.
A
major force in Tourism for BC is Victoria's
Kevin
Walker.
A hotelier and past President of COTA and the BC
and Yukon Hotels' Association, Mr. Walker, who was
a key speaker at Air Highways Air and Marine
Tourism Conference, takes an active role in the BC
Tourism Industry's Annual Conference
program
Thanks to the
US/Canada Open Skies agreement, local ownership of
the airport, and the area's magnetic attraction as
a Tourist Mecca,the Airport Authority envisions
more direct flights to North American cities.
Direct air service to Portland, Oregon, and other
U.S. gateways would boost Vancouver Island Tourism
immensely.
 Victoria
International Airport Authority's members represent
the Federal Government, City of Victoria, Victoria
Chamber of Commerce, 3 Saanich communities, Sidney,
and the Capital Regional District.
Acres
of Opportunity: The
Airport Authority also looks forward to the
development of "clean" progressive industry on
airport land. As a center for growth enterprises,
Victoria Airport offers the Capital Region's last
remaining supply of light-industrial lots larger
than an acre and a half; an essential item for the
high-tech, aviation-oriented, research and
manufacturing firms that create high-quality jobs
and compete in global markets. While Victoria
Airport's priority is industry that supports
aviation, they will also seek airport compatible,
non-aviation proposals in consultation with Sidney
and North Saanich. Such high-yield opportunities
will diversify the Airport's revenue base, create
employment and add to the municipal tax base.
Commercial and industrial development should not be
allowed to spoil the airport's scenic charm. "We
have one of the most esthetically pleasing airports
to fly into ... and want to preserve that special
appeal," one spokesman said.
 Victoria's
Inner Harbor seaplane
bases are a quick way for business commuters and
conventioneers from Seattle and Vancouver to
connect with Victoria and the Islands. It is one of
Canada's top five busiest harbors with 35,000
takeoffs and landings in 1998. Five major air
service providers: Kenmore, Harbor Air, Cooper
Helijet, West Coast Air. Ultimate authority for
harbor: Transport Canada.
Parliament
Buildings, Victoria: The Parliament Buildings,
site of the provincial government were constructed
in 1897. From the time the buildings were first
opened, the facade's outline was illuminated by
more than 3,300 small light bulbs fixed along the
corners of the walls, a feature that has
contributed to its landmark status. In 1973,
restoration work began that would extend from the
foundations to the statue of George Vancouver on
top of the central dome. Stained glass windows were
repaired. Moldings, light fixtures, and door knobs
were made to replicate the originals, and mosaic
tiles and ornate plaster work were restored. After
10 years of work, the buildings were restored to
their earlier magnificence. Guided tours of the
buildings are in groups and without charge. Large
groups must phone ahead.
Royal British Columbia Museum, Victoria:
Location: 675 Belleville Street This museum is
probably like few others you have ever seen. `Walk
through' exhibits take you to the streets of a
pioneer town, to an old working Gold Rush
waterwheel, aboard Capt. Vancouver's ship
"Discovery", into a native Indian long house, to
the bottom of the ocean, through a coastal rain
forest or along a seashore.
Exhibits focus on the natural and human history of
British Columbia. There are lectures, films and
special event days. In the summer, native carvers
are at work. Outside, there is a garden of B.C.'s
native wildflowers. The museum was founded in 1896.
It was housed in the Parliament Buildings across
Government Street from 1898 to 1968 when it moved
into its present quarters, specifically designed
for museum activities.
The museum has more
than ten million artifacts in its anthropological,
biological and historical collections, though only
a fraction are on public display. Craigdarroch
Castle, Victoria: Location: 1050 Joan Crescent.
Coal baron Robert Dunsmuir must have truly felt a
man's home is his castle when he built this lavish
house in the 1880s. He died before the castle was
finished and his widow Joan moved into Craigdarroch
in 1890. She lived there until she died in 1908.
Craigdarroch is now a museum furnished in
turn-of-the-century style: many of the pieces are
the originals. The castle has been restored and
features magnificent stained glass windows,
intricately-carved oak paneling on the walls and
ceiling of the main hall, walnut, mahogany, cedar
and spruce paneling in many of the rooms and
complex designs in the parquet floor throughout the
castle's 39 rooms, executed in exotic
wood.
Squares and Old
Town, Victoria: Location: Bastion Square,
Market Square, Chinatown, Centennial Square. These
squares and small streets all have a history and
atmosphere that make a walk in downtown Victoria
pleasant and historically inspiring. Bastion Square
was originally the site of Fort Victoria,
established by James Douglas in 1843. The Maritime
Museum, prominent on the square, the Courthouse and
several other buildings from the turn of the
century have been restored and currently house
shops and offices.
Two blocks over is
Market Square, a pack house and busy warehouse at
the time gold was discovered in B.C.'s interior.
Now a collection of interesting boutiques opens
onto a central courtyard, a unique mix of old and
new. Another block over is Chinatown, once covering
several city blocks but now mainly Fisgard Street.
Off to the side is Fan Tan Alley, a narrow passage
with shops tucked away. On Fisgard is the ornate
Gate of Harmonious Interest. Shops here offer
merchandise and meals straight from the Orient. A
block away is Centennial Square, a relative
newcomer where history nonetheless blooms in a
restored City Hall, vintage 1878, and an old
theater restored as the McPherson Playhouse.
Helijet
Airways'
Super City Triangle
Info Links:
http://victoriabc.com
http://attractionsvictoria.com (
Victoria)
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