Local

Winnipeg Free Press - PRINT EDITION

Tourism, rights museum get boost from pavilion

By: Jenny Ford

Posted: 02/17/2010 1:00 AM | Comments: 0 (including replies)

The Olympics may be three provinces away, but they've given Manitoba a tourism boost.The Canadian Museum for Human Rights exhibit at the CentrePlace Manitoba pavilion in downtown Vancouver has been visited by more than 11,000 people since it opened. It features an interactive three-dimensional mural of the museum and a giant touch-screen display, chronicling how museum workers gathered human rights stories.

"It's a breathtaking architectural model of the museum," said Kim Jasper, director of destination marketing for the museum. "People are taken aback at how beautiful this museum is. They're very excited. It's really resonating with the people who are coming through."

More than 500 visitors have taken the opportunity to fill out cards that read "Everyone has the right to..." and get their pictures taken in front of the mural after making a donation.

Jasper said people from many different countries and backgrounds have shared their thoughts on human rights. Corrine Hunt, designer of the Vancouver Olympic medals, took the opportunity to get her picture taken, writing "Everyone has the right to be a raven now and then." Former Olympian and gay rights advocate Mark Tewksbury wrote, "Everyone has the right to love."

The photos are broadcast on a screen outside the pavilion.

"They're standing there with a voice," Jasper said. "People coming can see first-hand what people believe in."

The CentrePlace Manitoba pavilion, celebrating Manitoba culture and tourism, has received 3,000-5,000 visitors a day since it opened, and organizers expect that number to jump next week.

"It's been pretty full," said Cindy Stevens, associate deputy minister for the Manitoba Olympic secretariat.

Meanwhile, Frontiers North Adventures, specializing in tundra buggy expeditions in Churchill, has been inundated with calls and website hits after NBC aired a segment about the company during its Olympic coverage.

"You can see wildlife up close and personal," Frontiers North marketing manager Jaime Dzikowski said.

The number of views on Frontiers North's website jumped from around 250 to almost 25,000 since the segment aired Monday. Ninety-five per cent of those hits have come from Washington and California, Dzikowski said.

Twenty million viewers tuned in to NBC's Olympic coverage Monday, which featured the segment hosted by sportscaster Mary Carillo. She visited Churchill last fall to film the vignette.

jenny.ford@freepress.mb.ca

Republished from the Winnipeg Free Press print edition February 17, 2010 A8

You can comment on most stories on winnipegfreepress.com. You can also agree or disagree with other comments. All you need to do is register and/or login and you can join the conversation and give your feedback.

The Winnipeg Free Press does not necessarily endorse any of the views posted. By submitting your comment, you agree to our Terms and Conditions. These terms were revised effective April 16, 2010; View the changes. New to commenting? Check out our Frequently Asked Questions.

WFP Hockey

Download our new hockey app for the iPhone for Winnipeg Jets updates
Editor's Bulletin

Sign up for daily bulletins from editor Margo Goodhand
Winnipeg Jets

All things NHL on our Jets landing page
Twitter

Follow our reporters and our news feeds on Twitter
News Cafe

Check out the menu, read our blog posts or get info on coming events
Facebook Fanpage

Follow our Facebook Fanpage for story links, contests and special events