Tourism Tofino “Goes Mobile” with Vintage Visitor Information Bus”Name the Bus” Challenge To Be Launched Online

Tofino, BC, June 6, 2012– Tourism Tofino today unveiled its new visitor information centre — an iconic, fully-restored 1966 Volkswagen “13 window” Microbus Deluxe serving as a mobile adjunct to the Cox Bay Visitor Information Centre to provide visitor information services throughout the Tofino downtown core during the summer months. The vehicle will be named by the winner of Tourism Tofino’s soon to be launched bus naming challenge (details available soon on Facebook at www.facebook.com/tourismtofino and on Twitter by following @Tourism_Tofino).

Purchased and owned by Tofino Bus Services Inc., a local passenger transportation and charter company, the sea-blue bus emblazoned with the dramatic new Tourism Tofino logo will be stationed at key Tofino locations and staffed by knowledgeable visitor information counselors beginning June 9, 2012.

“A highly visible, mobile information centre is an efficient, cost-effective way to reach a larger number of visitors with timely and reliable information about Tofino’s products, services, natural and cultural assets,” said Kirsten Soder, general manager of Tourism Tofino. “With a well-publicized calendar of ‘appearances’ at our stakeholders’ businesses, festivals and events, the bus allows Tourism Tofino staff to respond efficiently to more visitor queries, particularly during peak times.”

Already a head-turner at recent Tofino events, the distinctive-looking Volkswagen was acquired by Tofino Bus from a Los Angeles musician and vintage vehicle collector. The bus was fully restored in California, shipped to Bellingham, Washington, then driven to Tofino in May, 2012. Except for its upgraded engine and electrical system, the bus has been completely restored to its original condition.

“When we learned that this beautifully restored vehicle was for sale, we knew we had to bring it to Tofino,” said Dylan Green, owner of Tofino Bus. “The split window VW bus with a surf rack on the roof really exemplifies the ‘beach wagon’ that many of our local residents and visitors still equate with the world’s best surf and sand destinations. Knowing that Tourism Tofino wanted a mobile option for its visitor information services, we partnered with them to bring the bus to Tofino and make it part of the local culture that so many visitors come here for.”

Tourism Tofino will lease the vehicle from Tofino Bus for two years from mid-May through mid-September. The bus’s daily location and available services will be promoted through Tourism Tofino’s online and social media initiatives.

About Tourism Tofino www.tourismtofino.com

Tourism Tofino is a destination marketing organization (DMO) promoting Tofino’s extensive destination attributes, local events and hospitality industry businesses. Tourism Tofino also partners with other tourism organizations to create awareness of regional tourism initiatives for visitors worldwide.

About Tofino Bus Services Inc. www.tofinobus.com

Operating daily inter-city bus and charter services since June 2002, Tofino Bus Services Inc. has also provided school bus services in the towns of Ucluelet and Tofino since 2005. Daily intercity routes connect with Greyhound in Parksville and Nanaimo allowing connecting bus services nationwide.

Media Contact

Lynda Kaye
Kaye Public Relations for Tourism Tofino
e: lynda@kayepr.com
p: 250-266-5293