2010 Transportation chaos is pushing many out-of-town visitors to an area that didn't expect to see an Olympic boom – B.C.'s Sunshine Coast.
At Celia Robben's bed and breakfast just outside Gibsons, the phone has been ringing off the hook. Her hideaway is booked for the entire month, and she's not alone.
"We have 400 room nights now booked with our bed and breakfast and cottage association members," she said.
That's 400 room nights at a time of year when they'd typically have maybe a dozen.
"This is a big deal for the Sunshine Coast," Robben said.
People from across Canada, the US, Europe and even Australia will be using Gibsons as an Olympic base.
The picturesque Sunshine Coast community is located only 40 minutes by ferry from West Vancouver, and only a minute more from the Sea-to-Sky Highway – the main artery to Whistler and North Shore events. BC Ferries has added an additional 11 p.m. sailing from Horseshoe Bay, enabling visitors to attend the vast majority of events and still make it back to the coast at night.
Avoiding Vancouver's 2010 transportation hassles is one of the main attractions for the seaside community, known for its scenic views and laid back attitude.
"Within Vancouver, you know just to come across town in rush hour traffic takes and hour, so what's forty minutes sipping coffee on the ferry?" Robben said.
The boom isn't limited to accommodation. Visitors will also go to restaurants, shops and galleries during their stay. It gives the community a real Olympic boost at a time when many businesses would normally be closed.
"Normally I'm closed mid-January to probably the end of March," said Nancy Hache of the Lower Gibsons Business Association.
Hache's shop will now be open seven days a week during the Games. But for her, the boom is more than just money.
"It's not even about sales or people coming into the businesses for sales. It's about being able to show the visitors from around the world Gibsons."
Nestled on the shoreline of Gibson's harbour, the staff at Smitty's Oyster House is preparing to show off as well.
Owner Stafford Lumley said while the popular restaurant is normally only Thursday to Sunday during the shoulder system, they'll be going full steam for the duration of the Games.
"We're employing more people in the kitchen and on the floor. We're open seven days a week," he said.
Last year, the United Nations-endorsed International Awards for Liveable Communities (LivCom) handed Gibsons the Gold Award in the "Whole City" category for best community with a population of less than 20,000.
With a report from CTV British Columbia's Stephen Smart
