For the eighth consecutive year, readers of the influential US travel trade publication, Travel Weekly, have named Vancouver the best destination in Canada.

At their annual Readers’ Choice Awards held in New York City this week, Travel Weekly awarded Vancouver the top spot in the “Best in Destination: Canada” category. Those who vote in the awards are accredited travel agents who cast their ballots through an open online process. The awards are widely recognized in the industry and are presented annually to travel suppliers who excelled in product and service during the past year. Vancouver has been named best destination in Canada each of the eight years that the awards have been held.

Dayna Miller, Tourism Vancouver’s director of Sales, Travel Trade, was in New York to accept the award. “This award is significant because it’s voted on by travel agents – the front line travel influencers who work directly with potential visitors to Vancouver,” said Miller. “These people are some of our greatest allies in building visitation to Vancouver and it’s a great honour to know that they hold our destination in such high esteem.”

Tourism Vancouver works closely with the travel agent community, particularly in encouraging travel to the city from long-haul destinations. The organization’s sales teams regularly call on agents in the US, Europe and the Asia Pacific region to educate them on Vancouver products and packages that are then sold to consumers.

“It’s no surprise that Vancouver has been voted the best travel destination in Canada for the eighth year in a row,” said Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson. “Vancouver has made its mark on the world stage as a vibrant and multicultural city in a stunning setting. We have outstanding hospitality services including some of the best hotels, restaurants and tourist attractions in the country. Tourism has steadily grown in Vancouver because we are a great place to work, live and visit. We look forward to building upon our world-class reputation and welcoming even more visitors to our great city for years to come.”

Travel Weekly reaches some 190,000 readers in the travel industry each week – agents, suppliers and tour operators in North America. This award is the latest in a list of honours that Vancouver has received over the years, including being ranked “Best City in the Americas” in Condé Nast Traveler’s annual Readers’ Choice Awards again this year.

Tourism Vancouver’s focus is on building exceptional customer relationships with meeting planners, travel influencers, travel media and independent tourists. The organization’s brand essence is about “exceeding expectations”.

Media Contact at Tourism Vancouver:
Emily Armstrong
Manager, Travel Media Relations, North America
604.631.2873

Vancouver Sun March 12, 2011

2028 Mahon Avenue
North Vancouver

Type: 4-bedroom, 4-bathroom detached
Size: 2,973 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $1.195 million
Listed for: $1.088 million
Sold for: $1.088 million
Sold on: Jan. 22
Days on market: 2
Listing agent: Mark Ballard at RE/MAX Masters Realty
Buyers agent: Christopher Rivers and Fioretta Wilinofsky at Sutton Group – West Coast Realty

The big sell: A double bonus for the buyers of this Craftsman-style property in the Central Lonsdale district is that they get a one-year old house without the additional cost of the HST. Built by Noort Homes, it has an idyllic setting, backing on to Wagg Creek Park. The home has been beautifully finished with hardwood flooring, extensive moulding detail and a gourmet kitchen. It also has a fully finished basement, which has a recreation room and games room, as well as a fenced, landscaped yard. According to listing agent Mark Ballard, there were six scheduled showings before the first open house; it was at one of these that the buyers offered the asking price to avoid a potential multiple-offer situation.

764 East 56th Avenue
Vancouver

Type: 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom detached
Size: 2,220 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $846,000
Listed for: $974,800
Sold for: $972,000
Sold on: Jan. 23
Days on market: 6
isting agent: Charan Kamal Pannu at RS Westside Realty
Buyers agent: Andrew Ngai at Amex Broadway West Realty

The big sell: To say that the floor plan has been well utilized in this eightyear-old Fraser Street-area property is an understatement: the upper floor contains three bedrooms, a 20-by-11foot living room and a 17-by-11-foot kitchen. Because the property has a 37-foot frontage, there is also space for a family room and nook. The main floor has three bedrooms, a recreation room, two kitchens, and a living room that could double as a seventh bedroom -all of which equals opportunities for rental income. Other features include energy efficient windows -perfect for a budget-conscious owner -three skylights, a heated garage, views of Richmond from the covered patio, and a fully fenced, south-facing backyard. It sold in under a week, trouncing its B.C. Assessment value by more than $125,000.

3399 Puget Drive
Vancouver

Type: 6-bedroom, 5-bathroom detached
Size: 3,659 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $2.064 million
Listed for: $2.699 million
Sold for: $2.699 million
Sold on: Jan. 19
Days on market: 7
Listing agent: Caroline Hong at RE/ MAX Select Properties
Buyers agent: Sue Johnson and Sarah Thompson at Dexter Associates Realty

The big sell: The Real Estate Board of Greater Vancouver reported that February saw the average benchmark price of Vancouver westside detached homes shoot up by $222,000 to $1.85 million. Surpassing that figure is this newly renovated 1993 property in the Arbutus/ Mackenzie Heights neighbourhood. Adding further attraction are the city and mountain views, an open floor plan with 10-foot ceilings, a doubleheight foyer, a family room with custom cabinetry, a kitchen with central island containing an additional sink and a master bedroom with gas fireplace and private balcony. There is also a basement with two bedrooms, a living room, laundry and sauna. Topping it off is the 50-by-122-foot lot -it’s a gardener’s dream, with a southwest-exposed rear garden and built-in sprinkler system -and the triple-car garage.

103 -47 Rivermount Place
Fernie

Type: 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom townhouse
Size: 2,322 sq. ft.
B.C. Assessment, 2011: $576,000
Listed for: $599,000
Sold for: $590,000
Sold on: Jan. 16
Days on market: 246
Listing agent: Marilyn Brock at Century 21 Maximum Realty
Buyers agent: Marilyn Brock at Century 21 Maximum Realty

The big sell: According to agent Marilyn Brock, this three-storey chalet is one of the largest and most luxurious of the properties currently for sale at Pinnacle Ridge Resort. The homes include an open-plan great room, slate radiant floor heating, a gourmet kitchen, granite countertops, cherry wood cabinetry and stainless steel appliances. Leading off the dining room is a deck with room for a hot tub from which to enjoy the views of Fernie’s mountains and ski runs. The master bedroom suite has a spa-like ensuite and jetted bathtub, and a loft/seating area complete with fireplace. The buyers of this property have the option to purchase a designer furniture, hot tub and household package.

For the full story, please click on Real estate sales in North Vancouver, Vancouver and Fernie.

Vancouver Sun February 26, 2011

Surrey
64 14655 32nd Avenue

Type: townhouse
Size: 2,727 sq. ft., 4 bed, 4 bath
BC Assessment,: $661,000
Listed for: $789,900
Sold for: $779,000
Sold on: Jan. 8
Days on market: 10
Listing agent: Brian Dopson at Homelife Benchmark Realty Walnut Grove
Buyers agent: Jim Titus at Homelife Benchmark Titus Realty

The big sell: One of the advantages of buying a home during the construction phase is the ability to customize the property. This is exactly what the original owners of this 2006 townhouse did by adding an additional $85,000 in upgrades. The result? A house complete with hardwood and slate flooring, top-of-the-line Viking appliances including a built-in fridge, gas stove and warming drawer, a two-level kitchen island, a custom buffet in the dining room, a media room with a theatre-style 92-inch screen and overhead projection, a built-in credenza, a bar area with wine fridge, a seven-zone NuVo sound system, and a stamped concrete parking area. This unit is in the gated community of Elgin Pointe which includes a clubhouse and has walking trails, shops, services and golf courses close by.

Vancouver
6718 Gladstone Street

Type: detached
Size: 2,400 sq. ft., 5 bed, 2 bath
BC Assessment: $711,600
Listed for: $808,000
Sold for: $852,800
Sold on: Jan 9
Days on market: 13
Listing agent: Alan Mah at Park Georgia Realty Ltd.
Buyers agent: Craig Newsholme at Sutton Group – West Coast Realty

The big sell: Once derided for the esthetics of their design, Vancouver Specials have recently seen a resurgence in popularity mainly due to their generous-sized rooms and the ability to easily install a secondary suite on the lower floor. This particular property was built in 1967 and has a large living area with separate dining room, a kitchen with additional eating area, a 19-by-11-square-foot recreation room, and hardwood floors in excellent condition. It attracted more than 70 prospective purchasers in the first hour of the open house. Seven offers ensued who, according to listing agent Mah, were attracted by the choice location near Victoria Street and the potential to update the home from its original condition.

Vancouver
2 – 3838 Cypress Street

Type: half duplex
Size: 7,530 sq. ft., 5 bed, 7 bath
BC Assessment: $ 6.344 million
Listed for: $7.588 million
Sold for: $7.138 million
Sold on: Jan 7
Days on market: 24
Listing agent: Julia Lau at Sutton Group – West Coast Realty
Buyers agent: Amy Lau at Multiple Realty Ltd.

The big sell: This property forms one half of Greencroft, the home of a former lieutenant-governor, Eric Hamber (1879 – 1960). Its history is rich: photographs depict Hamber with the Queen, President Roosevelt and other dignitaries. In 2009, the home was completely restored and while the infrastructure is new, the property is resplendent with period features that include oak flooring, antique stained glass windows, five fireplaces, original plasterwork, and intricately carved walnut panelling. The luxurious property occupies more than 7,500 square feet and consists of formal reception rooms, two wine cellars, an oak panelled elevator and an art deco parkade. The attention to detail continues outside with landscaped grounds, a fountain and Corinthian columns.

Quesnel
2009 Eberg Road

Type: detached
Size: 1,890 sq. ft., 4 bed, 2 bath
BC Assessment: $206,500
Listed for: $249,900
Sold for: $235,000
Sold on: Jan 6
Days on market: 59
Listing agent: Leslie Johnson at RE/MAX Quesnel Realty
Buyers agent: Leslie Johnson at RE/MAX Quesnel Realty

The big sell: Country life beckons for the buyers of this Cariboo family home. The property sits on almost seven acres and is located south of the town of Quesnel in the Red Bluff community. It is all set up for horses with a barn, stalls and watering system specifically for the animals. The house itself has four spacious bedrooms, a four-piece bathroom on each floor, a cosy country kitchen complete with dining area, a new roof, a reverse osmosis water system and a sundeck. The property offers privacy and acreage and comes with covered parking.

Read more: Recent property sales in Surrey, Vancouver, and Quesnel