FRIDAY MAY 18, 2012
www.pqbnews.com
TOUR TEAM CHOSEN
NEW OFFICE HOURS
Riders in the Tour de Rock announced in Victoria
ECHO Players turns to comedy to end its theatre season
A25
B7
TOURISM
Fun or done
Travel about the experiences, not the destination, says tourism innovation chair NEIL HORNER
news@pqbnews.com
Tourism boosters in Oceanside should consider changing their approach by 180 degrees if they truly want to promote the area successfully, says Nicole Vaugeois. Speaking at a special joint chamber of commerce meeting at the Qualicum Beach Civic Centre Wednesday, Vaugeois, the B.C. regional innovation chair in tourism and sustainable rural development at Vancouver Island University, said rather than focusing on destination development, they DR. NICOLE VAUGEOIS should instead set their sights on developing the visitors’ experience. “Most destinations spend most of their time and money selling their destination, but most visitors spend most of their time and money seeking amazing experiences,” she said. “The destination is where they have the experiences. My suggestion is to stop thinking about destination development and start thinking about visitor experience development.” This, she conceded, is an intangible product, which is very different from the bricks and mortar of tangible products. See CHALLENGE, page A9
JAMES CLARKE PHOTO
THE HOT CORNER: Parksville’s Nic Annau earned himself some applause from the bleachers for this great stab to rob a Langley batter of a sure base hit during BC Permier League baseball action Saturday. Baseball is back up at Springwood Park in a big way this weekend as 16 teams take to the fields for the 18th annual BC’s Best baseball tournament. See page A36.
HEALTH
Local man has brain cancer
Daniel Soepboer is back on the Island after suffering seizures, coma, in Alberta AUREN RUVINSKY
Soepboer was moved back to the Island last week after nearly three weeks in Edmonton in and out of comas inFrench Creek resident Daniel Soepboer is back home on duced for his own safety. the Island, in hospital in Victoria, after suffering seizures at “He is settling into Victoria General Hospital now and work in Fort McMurray and being next week they will be having a Read the full story ONLINE at airlifted to Edmonton on April 20. meeting with the cancer society,” www.pqbnews.com “He is doing very well considershe said of the goal of getting him ing everything,” said local friend home. Charlene Zetts by e-mail. Soepboer’s wife Kristina Ronning and one-year-old She reported that the mysterious condition was even- daughter Mishelle have been with him since soon after he tually diagnosed as anaplastic astrocytoma, a cancerous was hospitalized. brain tumor. See FAMILY, page A4 writer@pqbnews.com
BLUEDOOR AUDIO VIDEO
EXCLUSIVE LIMITED TIME OFFER. Get the ultimate HD experience for $0!
124-C MIDDLETON AVENUE, PARKSVILLE 250-248-2515
Our new receivers are HD, 3D,MPEG-4 and 1080p compatible. No long-term contracts. Award-winning customer service. Enjoy great entertainment while you travel with the Home Away From Home Program. Free basic installation on up to 2 receivers!
*Available to new residential customers while quantities last. The two zero dollar Essential HD refurbished receivers are based on a $0 purchase price per receiver. The $50 Promotional Credit includes taxes and will appear on the customer’s account in the form of a credit, applied upon activation. The $50 PPV credit excludes applicable taxes and will appear on the customer’s account in the form of a credit, applied upon activation. Conditions apply. A monthly Multi-Receiver Warranty (MRW) of $6.08 may apply for customers with two or more receivers. An included fee of 1.5% of your monthly satellite TV charges applies to fund Shaw Direct’s contribution to the CRTC’s Local Programming Improvement Fund. See SHAWDIRECT.CA/ LPIF. Taxes extra. Offer subject to change without notice. Shaw Direct services are subject to our terms of use as occasionally amended.