Vancouver’s most exciting restaurant promotion, Dine Out Vancouver™ 2004 - presented by Visa, has doubled the fun since its inaugural event in 2003. From Friday, January 23 to Thursday, February 5, more than 100 restaurants will be participating in this gastronomic celebration, created by Tourism Vancouver, to highlight Vancouver’s vibrant restaurant scene. With 111, three-course prix-fixe menus to choose from - at $15(CAD) and $25 (CAD) price points – lucky diners have dozens of options to choose from.

Vancouver, BC: Vancouver’s most exciting restaurant promotion, Dine Out Vancouver™ 2004 - presented by Visa, has doubled the fun since its inaugural event in 2003. From Friday, January 23 to Thursday, February 5, more than 100 restaurants will be participating in this gastronomic celebration, created by Tourism Vancouver, to highlight Vancouver’s vibrant restaurant scene. With 111, three-course prix-fixe menus to choose from - at $15(CAD) and $25 (CAD) price points – lucky diners have dozens of options to choose from.

In just its second year, Dine Out Vancouver™ has already created a buzz of anticipation across the city. Consumers are getting ready to enjoy Vancouver’s world-class cuisine, complemented by fabulous British Columbia VQA wines. Many of this year’s participating restaurants are offering suggested VQA wine pairings with their Dine Out Vancouver™ menus.

According to Dawn Antle, marketing manager, British Columbia Wine Institute, Dine Out Vancouver™ is a wonderful addition to Vancouver’s culinary offerings. “Dine Out Vancouver celebrates the best of Vancouver’s food and wine scene - talented and innovative chefs, unparalleled local ingredients, a wealth of multicultural influences, and wonderful local wines. Together these elements create culinary experiences that are not only delicious, but are also representative of the overwhelming bounty of our province.”

Given the selection of restaurants and the time of year, Tourism Vancouver is using the event to promote getaway packages to both visitors and locals. Six downtown hotels will be offering Dine Out Vancouver™ packages for two, ranging from $138 (CAD) for a standard room to $417(CAD) for a penthouse suite. Each package includes a one-night stay and a Dine Out Vancouver™ voucher for two for the hotel restaurant. Participating hotels include: the Inn at False Creek, Marriott Pinnacle Hotel, Pacific Palisades Hotel, Renaissance Vancouver Hotel, Westin Grand Vancouver and the Wedgewood Hotel. These special packages can be booked online at tourismvancouver.com as of December 1.

In addition to experiencing Vancouver’s fine dining and accommodations, restaurant patrons who use their VISA® cards to pay for their meal at participating restaurants between January 23 and February 5, can also take part in the VISA Dine Out for a Year contest, where one lucky winner will enjoy dinner each week at one of 52 participating restaurants throughout 2004. The contest is open only to British Columbia residents. For complete contest rules and regulations, visit www.tourismvancouver.com.

To help consumers take full advantage of this and other special promotions, Vancouver Magazine is publishing a special Dine Out Vancouver™ 2004 event section in the January/February issue. As well, menus for participating restaurants are available online at tourismvancouver.com. Reservations will be accepted by participating restaurants as of December 1 and are strongly recommended.

Visa joins The British Columbia Wine Institute, EasyPark, CFUN – 1410AM Radio, Citytv, Vancouver Magazine, Western Living Magazine, and Where Vancouver Magazine as sponsors of this much anticipated event.

Tourism Vancouver’s focus is on building exceptional customer relationships with meeting planners, travel influencers, travel media and independent tourists. Our efforts generate demand for the destination, thereby creating value for members and stakeholders. Innovation, partnership, research and accountability guide our approach. We utilize person-to-person and technology-based sales, marketing and visitor servicing activities to achieve results. Through positive positioning of both the organization and the destination, our leadership benefits the society, culture, environment and economy of Greater Vancouver.

For more information contact:
Kate Colley Lo       
Manager, Travel & Trade Media Relations   
Tourism Vancouver
P: 604.631.2870   
E: kcolley@tourismvancouver.com