Tourism Whistler News Release

For immediate release

August 25, 2003

WHISTLER COMMUNITY OPENS ITS DOORS TO KELOWNA RESIDENTS

Whistler, B.C. - The resort community of Whistler has extended an offer of complimentary hotel accommodation to the residents of Kelowna, British Columbia who have been personally affected by the recent forest fire devastation in that area.

"Our hearts go out to the people of Kelowna," says Hugh O'Reilly, Mayor, Resort Municipality of Whistler. "We have a large accommodation base in Whistler and want to extend the offer for free lodging to everyone who has found themselves without a place to stay, either due to being evacuated or due to the actual loss of their home."

A number of Whistler accommodation properties are offering assistance to the fire victims and evacuees. Participating properties will provide accommodation on a complimentary basis while the evacuation order is in place, based on availability at time of booking.

Kelowna residents requiring accommodation simply need to call Tourism Whistler's toll-free central reservations line at 1-800-WHISTLER and identify themselves as a Kelowna resident from the affected area. Upon check-in at the hotel, identification will be requested to confirm home address.

Whistler is located 450 kilometres from Kelowna through Lillooet on Highway 99, or 520 kilometres from Kelowna through Vancouver.

Tourism Whistler is the member-based marketing organization representing Whistler, and operating the Whistler Conference Centre, the Whistler Golf Club and myWHISTLER.com.