Brewster Press Room

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 7, 2010

Brewster Inc. Gives Every Grade Four Student a FREE Glacier Experience™

Banff, Alberta [June 7, 2010] Over 75,000 complimentary tickets to the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™ are on their way to Alberta grade four classes this week in an effort to provide students with the opportunity to bring their studies to life. The Alberta Grade 4 Cool Kids program was launched this month by Canadian travel company Brewster Inc., with support from both Travel Alberta and Parks Canada, as an educational initiative to enhance the students’ knowledge of and appreciation for glaciers.

“Grade four students have spent a great deal of time learning about glaciers in their school curriculum,” explains Michael Hannan, President of Brewster Inc. “The Cool Kids program is designed to give them the opportunity to further their studies over the summer, and experience one of Alberta’s own glaciers first-hand.”

Many Albertans are unaware of the significance of the Columbia Icefield and its eight major glaciers. The massive body of ice spreads over 325 sq kilometres (covering an area nearly half the size of Calgary), reaches estimated depths of 365 metres (taller than the Eiffel Tower) and feeds Canada’s three surrounding oceans. Its unique features make it notable on a worldwide scale, attracting millions of tourists and researchers every year.

The Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™ provides both an educational and safe experiential journey with an 80 minute guided trip by Ice Explorer onto the most accessible glacier at the Columbia Icefield; the Athabasca Glacier. Schools that are interested in learning more about the program can visit www.ExploreRockies.com/CoolKids.

About the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™
The Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™ is part of the Explore Rockies collection of experiences; a proud division of Brewster Inc. The attraction reveals one of the most unique experiences in the Canadian Rockies. Massive Ice Explorers, specially designed for glacial travel, take passengers on a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier; one of the Columbia Icefield’s eight major glaciers. The Icefield Centre completes the experience with restaurants, accommodation, gift shops, interpretive Parks Canada exhibits and all new Columbia Icefield Scenic Walks. www.ExploreRockies.com/Columbia-Icefield

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 26, 2010

Brewster Inc. Launches New Website with ADDY® Award-Winning ExploreRockies.com Brand
Award-winning ExploreRockies.com brand takes life on an all new leading-edge activity planning website for visitors to the Canadian Rockies.

Banff, Alberta [May 26, 2010] Visitors to the Canadian Rockies now have the ultimate source for planning a trip in and around Banff, Lake Louise and Jasper. The all new ExploreRockies.com site features leading-edge trip planning elements, including scenic live webcams, high definition videos, traveler photos of wildlife sightings, plus information and online booking capabilities for must-do activities, attractions, sightseeing and much more! Travel companies and individuals can also benefit from the site through an ExploreRockies.com affiliate program, which pays commissions to affiliate partners on sales made through the website.

ExploreRockies.com features a fresh, award-winning visual identity designed by Southern California advertising agency Hunter | Johnsen. The logo, which represents a modern, slightly abstract depiction of the Rocky Mountains, was recently honored by the American Advertising Federation with a Silver ADDY® award in the category of “Elements of Advertising – Logo”. With over 60,000 entries annually, the ADDY® Awards are the world's largest and arguably toughest advertising competition. The ADDY® Awards represent the true spirit of creative excellence by recognizing all forms of advertising from media of all types, creative by all sizes and entrants of all levels from anywhere in the world. The American Advertising Federation, a not-for-profit industry association conducts the ADDY® Awards through its 200 member advertising clubs and 15 districts. It is the only creative awards program administered by the advertising industry for the industry.

“We are thrilled that the new identity for our Explore Rockies.com brand has been recognized by the professional advertising community.” says Michael Hannan, President of Brewster Inc. “We think the logo represents the vision and personality of Brewster’s businesses as we move into an exciting new time in the company’s development.”

For more information on ExploreRockies, visit www.explorerockies.com/

About ExploreRockies.com.
ExploreRockies.com, a division of Brewster Inc., features a collection of the best activities in the Rockies, including the Banff Gondola, Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, Brewster Sightseeing Excursions and ExploreRockies.com In-Resort Activity Centres. For more information, visit Brewster.ca or ExploreRockies.com.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 23, 2010

Columbia Icefield introduces all new guided Scenic Walks
Journey back in time along the retreating path of a glacier!

[Banff, Alberta] It covers an area of 6 square kilometres, reaches depths of up to 300 metres and recedes at a rate of two to three metres per year; leaving behind one of the most fascinating environments in the Canadian Rockies. The Athabasca Glacier and the world-famous Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™ have always been known as the must-see attractions in the Canadian Rockies. This year, starting May 21st, the Columbia Icefield will offer its guests a brand new way to explore the destination. The newly developed Columbia Icefield Scenic Walks will take visitors on a two-hour guided walking tour along the retreating path of the Athabasca Glacier. The guided interpretive tours will provide visible evidence of the glacier’s path and a behind-the-scene look at how plants and wildlife survive in these interesting conditions.

“The new Scenic Walks at the Columbia Icefield engage our visitors with yet another great way to experience the unique vistas of our Rocky Mountain National Parks,” commented David McKenna, VP Hotels & Attractions, Brewster Inc. “We wanted to expand on the popularity of the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™, by giving our guests a way to explore the glacier’s surrounding landscapes from a bit of a different perspective."

The Columbia Icefield Scenic Walks will open its first season with the Forefield Trail route, which follows the retreating path of the Athabasca Glacier. Tours depart daily from the Icefield Centre at the Columbia Icefield, located on the Icefields Parkway (Highway 93N) between Lake Louise and Jasper, at 11AM, 2:30PM and 7:30PM from May 21st to September 30th, 2010. The Icefield Centre is also home to the Glacier View Inn, restaurants, gift shops, interpretive Parks Canada exhibits and the world-famous Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™.

For more information on the Columbia Icefield Scenic Walks, visit www.explorerockies.com/columbia-icefield.

About the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™.
The Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience™ is part of the Explore Rockies collection of experiences; a proud division of Brewster Inc. The attraction reveals one of the most unique experiences in the Canadian Rockies. Massive Ice Explorers, specially designed for glacial travel, take passengers on a remarkable excursion onto the surface of the Athabasca Glacier; one of the Columbia Icefield’s eight major glaciers. The Icefield Centre completes the experience with restaurants, accommodation, gift shops, interpretive Parks Canada exhibits and all new Columbia Icefield Scenic Walks..

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 15, 2010

A New View From The Top Of The World – Banff National Park
[Banff, Alberta] One of the world’s most popular webcam experiences just got even better. Brewster Inc. recently upgraded its original camera giving a bird’s eye view of Banff, Alberta, and has added a second one capturing more spectacular scenic vistas of the Canadian Rockies.

“Our new webcam looks northwest down the Bow Valley,” said Dave McKenna, Vice President, Hotels & Attractions at Brewster Inc. “It provides an amazing view of Sanson’s Peak and the Banff Skywalk.”

The original webcam has been in place for quite some time, McKenna said. Now newly upgraded to offer an even crisper picture, this camera focuses on the town of Banff. The Banff Canada webcam shows the town throughout the day and night with Cascade Mountain in the backdrop. The camera is designed to update its displayed image at short intervals around the clock, giving visitors to its website an ability to keep up with the beauty of this popular tourist destination no matter where in the world they happen to be at the time.

“The original webcam has been hugely popular with visitors who want to see some of the sights before they arrive in Banff,” said McKenna “The second camera enables visitors to take in even more of the wonders that make Banff National Park such a popular destination. Not only does our second camera show amazing mountain vistas, but visitors might even be able to see incoming weather fronts.”

Both webcams are hosted by The Banff Gondola, a division of Brewster Inc. The gondola ride takes visitors to the top of the Canadian Rockies so they can experience the beauty from the summit of Sulphur Mountain.

Vacationers who choose Banff as their travel destination will soon realize these webcams only tell part of the story, McKenna said.

“While the webcams provide a fantastic teaser, there is just no replacing seeing this stunning area personally,” he said. “From the gondola terminal, visitors can see six mountain ranges, take a stroll down the Banff SkyWalk, visit the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site and possibly even be able to catch glimpses of Rocky Mountain Big Horn Sheep and other creatures who call Banff, Alberta, home.”

“The ride up to Sulphur Mountain is an amazing experience in and of itself,” he said. “It takes eight minutes to make it to the Summit Upper Terminal inside one of our fully enclosed four-passenger gondola cabins. Every minute of the ride brings new wonders to take in.”

“The Banff Gondola, the Glacier Experience at the Columbia Icefield and Minnewanka Lake Cruise are essential adventures to a memorable National Park experience”, McKenna said.

Visit http://www.ExploreRockies.com to learn more about Banff, Alberta, the Banff Gondola and other Banff attractions.

About The Banff Gondola™
The Banff Gondola™ is a division of Brewster Inc. This attraction is the ultimate mountaintop experience in Banff National Park. It shares an unobstructed 360-degree view of six scenic mountain ranges from 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level and the incredible Banff Skywalk. The Banff Skywalk is an easy 1km self-guided interpretive walkway that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. Other services at the Banff Gondola include two gift shops, two restaurants, Starbucks® coffee lounge, one snack bar, interpretive hiking trails and an interactive giant compass.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 13, 2010

Brewster Inc. Expands Service Offering to Include Corporate & Event Management
One of Canada’s leading travel providers, Brewster Inc., has expanded its service portfolio to include a full suite of corporate and event management services for meetings, conferences, incentive travel, sports and special events. Brewster Corporate & Event Management will complement Brewster’s existing business portfolio, including transportation, attractions, lodging and tour operations.

[Banff, Alberta] Corporate and event planners now have the ultimate one-stop solution for event management services and products in Western Canada. Brewster Corporate & Event Management is the latest addition to the company’s product and service offerings. Brewster’s dedicated team of event professionals specializes in event-related services, including staffing, off-site events, tours/activities, team building, housing, event management, theme development, production and audio visual, and more. The company’s other tourism businesses will complement Brewster Corporate & Event Management by providing direct purchasing benefits to transportation, lodging, activities and packaging solutions.

“The new service offering is a perfect fit to Brewster and ultimately to our customers, providing a complete one-stop solution for their corporate and event planning requirements,” said Jim Fraser, VP Marketing & Planning, Brewster Inc. “This new service will offer a variety of business event experiences that engage the corporate, association and sport event planner.”

For further details please visit www.Brewster.ca/Events-Management.

About the Brewster Inc.
Brewster Inc. has set a high standard of excellence for travelling in Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies for 118 years. As a leader in the Canadian tourism industry, Brewster provides an integrated system through multiple businesses to ultimately deliver outstanding travel experiences to its one million annual guests. Brewster’s operating divisions include three must-see attractions (Banff Gondola, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, and Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience), two hotels (Mount Royal Hotel and Glacier View Inn), independent and group package tour operations (Brewster Vacations Canada) and a motor coach fleet with award-winning driver guides (Brewster Motorcoach Charter Services, Airport & Resort Shuttle and Sightseeing Excursions). For more information, visit www.brewster.ca.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
December 18, 2009

New Winter Wonderland Playground in Banff
Brewster’s Banff Gondola and Parks Canada have collaborated on a new winter playground for the community and for visitors. Complete with a skating rink, skate rentals and social area with a fire pit and benches, this is a great place to celebrate the season with friends and family and have some fun. Use of the area is complementary, adding another exciting activity to the Banff Gondola and further enhancing the visitor experience in Banff National Park.

[Banff, Alberta] Skating is one of Canada’s most popular winter activities, and what better place to enjoy it than in the heart of the Canadian Rockies. Brewster’s Banff Gondola and Parks Canada are giving residents and visitors to Banff National Park the opportunity to enjoy this popular winter activity at a new skating rink located at the east end of the parking lot for the Banff Gondola. In addition to the rink, the winter playground comes complete with a fire pit and benches where visitors can warm-up around a crackling fire and enjoy a beverage from the onsite Starbucks coffee lounge.

“We are excited to be able to offer our community and guests yet one more exciting national park experience,” said David McKenna, VP Hotels & Attractions, Brewster Inc. “This skating rink represents a new family activity for Banff residents and an enhanced experience for visitors.”

The skating rink will be open to the public just in time for the holiday season on December 24th, and will be open daily with evening skating available on Fridays and Saturdays. Use of the rink is complimentary and skates and helmets are available to rent onsite. The skating rink will be available for group bookings, including birthday parties and community events. For further information, visit www.explorerockies.com/banff-gondola.

About the Banff Gondola™
The Banff Gondola™, a division of Brewster Inc., is the ultimate mountaintop experience in Banff National Park. The attraction shares an unobstructed 360 degree view of six scenic mountain ranges from 2,281m (7,486 ft) above sea level and the incredible Banff Skywalk. The Banff Skywalk is an easy 1km self-guided interpretive walkway that leads to the Cosmic Ray Station National Historic Site. Other services at the Banff Gondola include two gift shops, two restaurants, a Starbucks coffee lounge, one snack bar, interpretive hiking trails and an interactive giant compass. Images of the Banff Gondola are available for downloaded from Brewster’s image gallery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 7, 2009

Vacations Canada TV Finalist for National Award for Tourism Excellence
Award-nominated online video campaign promotes travel and tourism in Canada

Banff, Alberta, Canada — Brewster, Inc. is proud to announce that Canada’s first online travel TV network; Vacations Canada TV™, has been announced as a finalist for the National Awards for Tourism Excellence in the category of Online Innovation of the year.

Hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and presented by the Globe and Mail, the National Awards for Tourism Excellence are presented to recognize businesses and their employees that have excelled in Canadian tourism. “We are extremely proud to be included alongside Canada’s top travel and tourism organizations and initiatives." Robert Hughes, Manager of e-Strategies for Brewster Inc., said.

Vacations Canada TV™, which showcases unique travel experiences and vacations to Canada using online video, has now surpassed 1.3 million views. The episodes feature a wide array of destinations and attractions in Canada, including Banff Canadian Rockies vacations and Canada tours. Visitors to http://www.vacationscanada.tv can learn more about the most popular vacation destinations, get tips from seasoned travelers, and even comment, rate, and embed videos.

Beside each video episode, travelers will find vacation packages and tours which include the products and travel experiences featured in the video. These relevant Brewster Vacations Canada packages can be customized providing endless possibilities with exceptional value.

Perfect for active vacationers, Vacations Canada TV™ offers travelers local secrets, tips and information needed to start planning the perfect trip. For vacationers who would rather relax and spend time with a loved one, Vacations Canada TV™ also offers a wide variety of romance packages, pre-post cruise packages, wildlife adventures, spa getaways and plenty of other Canada vacation ideas. Visit VacationsCanada.tv for more information or call toll-free: 1-877-791-5500.

About Vacations Canada TV™
Vacations Canada TV™ is Canada’s first online travel television network, offering a series of videos that showcase the country's top travel experiences. Brewster Inc. is the driving organization behind Vacations Canada TV™ in partnership with other leading tourism organizations including The Canadian Tourism Commission, Travel Alberta, Parks Canada, VIA Rail, Edmonton Tourism, Jasper Tourism and Banff Lake Louise Tourism. The travel television network is intended to engage travelers, travel agents and tour operators as a useful online travel research and trip planning tool. To learn more, call Brewster Vacations Canada at (877) 791-5500 or visit VacationsCanada.tv.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
September 22, 2009

Brewster Vacations Canada Launches Online Booking Engine & Personalized Websites
Brewster Vacations Canada takes travel personalization to the next level with the launch of a new online quoting and booking engine, as well as personalized websites (PURL™). These modern travel planning tools will allow consumers and travel agents to customize Canadian vacation packages and access relevant information to their desired travel experience.

Banff, Alberta, Canada - Our vacations are crafted from a belief that a travel experience should be as unique as each individual traveler. The eConcierge™ platform allows Brewster Vacations Canada to deliver a personalized experience to each of our guests from the moment they begin to make their travel arrangements. We continuously strive to make planning and booking Canada tours and vacations a very simplified process. Our personalized pages really emphasize the individuality of each traveler.

With the new quoting/booking engine integrated into its website, Brewster Vacations Canada has made the process of planning trips to Western Canada, including Canadian Rockies vacations, simple for both consumer and travel agent customers.

In just four easy steps, customers can modify hotels and add nights, rail tours, coach tours, rental cars, activities, sightseeing tours, and more. In addition, the system allows customers to customize their vacation package, save it, and then access and book their trip at a later date.

As soon as a vacation quote is developed with Brewster Vacations Canada, the customer is issued their own personalized website (PURL™). Here, travelers can access customized trip information and holiday details prior to booking. The site incorporates Contac's eConcierge™ interactive service, which provides customers with the PURL™ and a personalized travel information booklet including tour documents upon booking. Travelers can then review the details of their itinerary and even book tickets for an event, rent a car, purchase travel insurance, make restaurant reservations, and shop for merchandise.

"Our vacations are crafted from a belief that a travel experience should be as unique as each individual traveler," says Jim Fraser, Vice-President of Marketing & Planning, Brewster Inc. "The eConcierge™ platform allows Brewster Vacations Canada to deliver a personalized experience to each of our guests from the moment they begin to make their travel arrangements."

Travelers also have the option to forward their PURL™ to friends and family, as well as upload photos, create personalized albums, and even share details of their trip on Facebook, all through the Brewster Vacations Canada website.

"We continuously strive to make planning and booking Canada tours and vacations a very simplified process." Fraser added, "Our personalized pages really emphasize the individuality of each traveler".

”Mr. John Vanderwood of Omaha, Nebraska, the first customer to book his trip using the new system, commented "It was EASY!" He received his Canada vacation package complimentary, courtesy of the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience.

About Brewster Vacations Canada
Brewster, Inc. has been a force in Western Canadian tourism for 117 years. Now a leader in the Canadian tourism industry, Brewster incorporates multiple businesses that strive to deliver outstanding, individualized travel experiences to its one million annual guests. Its operating divisions include the attractions of Banff Gondola, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, and Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience as well as the Mount Royal Hotel and Glacier View Inn. The company also runs Brewster Vacations Canada, which specializes in independent and group package tour operations, as well as a motor coach fleet including Brewster Motorcoach Charter Services, Airport & Resort Shuttle, and Brewster Sightseeing Excursions for the best Canada tours.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 6, 2009

Canadian Paralympic Committee joins forces with leading Canadian travel brands to launch GO CANADA - Canada’s 2010 Paralympic Team to benefit from sales of travel products

Vancouver (August 6, 2009) – The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) and gold medalist Paralympic athlete Joanne Kelly today joined Flight Centre, VIA Rail, Brewster Inc., and LUG to launch www.gocanadatravel.ca.

GO CANADA is a unique collaboration to raise funds and awareness for Canada’s Paralympic athletes as they go for gold in 2010.

The website www.gocanadatravel.ca will offer travel products and trips from Flight Centre, VIA Rail, Brewster Inc., LUG and the Resorts of the Canadian Rockies. A portion of sales made on the site will be donated to the Canadian Paralympic Committee.

The announcement took place on the spectacular Columbia Icefield where Brewster Inc. unveiled a fully accessible GO CANADA branded Ice Explorer. The massive Ice Explorer is part of the Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience, which takes visitors on a remarkable 90-minute adventure onto the surface of Athabasca Glacier.

“Brewster is very proud to be part of this unique partnership to support our Paralympic athletes,” said Michael Hannan, President & CEO, Brewster Inc. “GO CANADA will enable us to connect with Canadian travelers to support Paralympic athletes, as well as showcase Canada as a welcoming tourist destination for persons with a disability.”

The partnership also highlights the commitment of each of the partners to providing accessible travel solutions to the 9.9 million Canadians with a disability.

“Poised to have the highest ranked finish ever of a Canadian Team at a Paralympic Games, our Paralympic athletes are a great source of national pride. Their performances will change how persons with a disability are perceived in Canada,” said Carla Qualtrough, President, Canadian Paralympic Committee. “The resulting increase in accessible products and services is one of the richest legacies a host country of a Paralympic Games can experience. We are very proud to be partnering with companies who recognise this.

”To buy products and services that will support Canadian Paralympic athletes go for gold in 2010 visit GO CANADA at www.gocanadatravel.ca.

About the Canadian Paralympic Committee
The Canadian Paralympic Committee (CPC) is a non-profit, private organization with 42 member sports organizations dedicated to strengthening the Paralympic Movement by empowering Canadians with a disability through sport. The CPC is responsible for managing the team of athletes who represent Canada at Paralympic Games. By supporting Canadian Paralympic athletes and promoting their success, the CPC inspires all Canadians with a disability to get involved in sport through programs delivered by our members. For more information visit, www.paralympic.ca

About Brewster Inc.
Brewster Inc. has set a high standard of excellence for travelling in Western Canada and the Canadian Rockies for 117 years. As a leader in the Canadian tourism industry, Brewster provides an integrated system through multiple businesses to ultimately deliver outstanding travel experiences to its one million annual guests. Brewster’s operating divisions include three must-see attractions (Banff Gondola, Minnewanka Lake Cruise, Columbia Icefield Glacier Experience) two hotels (Mount Royal Hotel and Glacier View Inn) independent and group package tour operations (Brewster Vacations Canada) and a motor coach fleet with award-winning driver guides (Brewster Motorcoach Charter Services, Airport & Resort Shuttle and Sightseeing Excursions). For more information and images, visit www.Brewster.ca

Images of the The Columbia Icefield can be downloaded from Brewster’s image gallery.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 27, 2009

David Morrison named 2009 Alto Ambassador
The prestigious 2009 Alto Ambassador Award will be awarded to the Chairman of Brewster Inc., David Morrison of Banff, the Alberta Tourism Awards Committee has announced.

“Through his long and distinguished career, David has never wavered in his commitment to elevate tourism in this province,” said Wynn McLean, chair of the volunteer industry committee which oversees the awards program. “His record of achievement distinguishes David as a true ambassador for our province, our country and our industry,” he said.

The current chairman, and former CEO, of Brewster Inc., who began his 40-year career with Brewster as a summer motor coach driver, may be dubbed a “people person with outstanding negotiating skills,” but behind the congenial, affable boss, is a tenacious leader. Morrison’s passion for the tourism business led to a number of managerial positions which included Controller; V.P. Administration; V.P. & General Manager; President & C.E.O. in 1980 and became Chairman in 2009 with the appointment of his successor Michael Hannan as President & C.E.O. During Morrison’s term as C.E.O., Brewster generated more than $1 billion dollars in revenues and in excess of $300 million in operating income.

Whether it’s forging partnerships with critical players such as Parks Canada or striking relationships in new markets in the ’70s and ‘80s such as Japan, Taiwan and Korea – Morrison was always at the table, ready to play.

“When the chips were down,” recalls Marjorie Holland, who’s worked as Morrison’s executive assistant for 31 years, “David wasn’t afraid to call a spade, a spade. Over the years his frankness and candor became legendary.”

Adds Bill Fisher, Director General for Parks Canada: “David’s fingerprints will continue to be all over Parks Canada’s programming for years to come.”

When Morrison arrived in Banff in 1968 as a summer commerce student from Sydney, Nova Scotia, Brewster Transport was owned by Greyhound and had a fleet of limousines, taxis, gas stations and motor coaches. Over the next three decades Brewster’s travel and recreation business ballooned from operating coaches and the Mount Royal Hotel to include the Columbia Icefield Snowmobile Tours, the Banff Gondola and boat excursions on Lake Minnewanka.

In 1980, Brewster developed, with Foremost Industries of Calgary, a specialty 56 passenger terra-tire vehicle which not only increased capacity but decreased the impact on the glacier created by previous tracked vehicles. In 1995 Brewster, in partnership with Parks Canada, developed a new Icefield Centre that decreased the footprint of the four other independent facilities as well as winning numerous awards for our commitment to environmental stewardship principles.

In 2000, the purchase of the Banff Gondola provided Brewster another flagship operation and in 2007 acquired Minnewanka Boat Tours to provide visitors a variety of Park experiences.

Larry Gale, Brewster’s Director of Marketing and Sales, who nominated Morrison for the 2009 Alto Ambassador Award, says he’s more than earned his stripes.

“It was under David’s leadership that Brewster was recognized by Parks Canada as a leader in corporate responsibility and environmental stewardship,” wrote Gale in the Alto nomination package. “Throughout his career, David has remained a steadfast guardian of Parks Canada’s objectives in protecting and maintaining our pristine environment. As a result, Parks Canada recognizes Brewster drivers/guides as official interpreters of National Park values. The interpretive program set a new industry standard.”

Despite Morrison’s jammed slate of international trips and numerous board commitments (Canadian Tourism Commission, Tourism Industry Association of Canada, The Banff Centre, Banff/Lake Louise Chamber of Commerce, to name a few) it was always known that his family was top of his agenda. Raising four children with a wife who worked full-time at the Mineral Springs Hospital didn’t leave a lot of time for hobbies or sports. They skied together as a family but only recently have David and Carol taken up golf together. Some of his best National Park experiences were horseback riding into the backcountry with Ron Warner and friends.

According to Holland, if three adjectives had to summarize Morrison they would be, “kind,” “generous,” and “loyal.”.

Although Morrison jests that on a self-awareness test he discovered he has “no skills . . . can’t fix a thing, can’t cook, I might even be a bit dyslexic” but he did note with pride that he holds a Class 2 license as a “career” backup.

Humour is what we need more of in these challenging economic times, believes Morrison, “that and the desire to cultivate relationships. We know the Japanese market may never come back to the numbers we once had – but there are other new markets out there waiting to be nurtured.

“The success of Alberta and Brewster in tourism will be determined by our ability to develop new markets and maintaining our commitment to existing markets in co-operation with all of our partners,” he says./a>

“I have been fortunate to work in an industry where people are so passionate about what they do, and for a great company with so many dedicated and loyal employees.”

The Alto Ambassador Award recognizes exceptional leaders who have made outstanding contributions to Alberta’s tourism industry. The 2009 Alto Awards will be presented to Mr. Morrison and winners in eight other categories at the 9th annual Travel Alberta Industry Conference at The Fairmont Banff Springs Hotel & Conference Centre on October 26.

Note to the editors:
Photo of Mr. Morrison available for download at www.Industry.TravelAlberta.com/Alto.