Tourists target of trolley service

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This article was published 04/06/2015 (3971 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The Downtown Winnipeg BIZ is hoping to convince soccer fans to get out of their hotel rooms and off their wallets during the FIFA Women’s World Cup.

It has partnered with the Winnipeg Trolley Company to provide a free six-minute loop of Portage Avenue, Main Street, St. Mary Avenue and Hargrave Street between 9 p.m. and midnight on June 8, 12, 15 and 16.

There will be more than 20 eateries within a two- or three-minute walk from the “Free-Fa” trolley service’s four stops, said Jason Syvixay, managing director of the BIZ.

“We know that tourism is incredibly important for contributing to the local economy. We want our businesses to put their best foot forward and support them by encouraging visitors to try their restaurants and spend money on retail and food,” said Syvixay.

“We want to position downtown as the place for compelling experiences. There’s an excitement in the air when people are outdoors walking and exploring.”

Ben Gillies, executive director of the WTC, which operates two 1920s-style streetcars, said his company wants to encourage Winnipeggers and tourists alike to discover what makes downtown special.

“We think this is a great opportunity to showcase the downtown and capture the energy and spirit that (accompanies) the FIFA Women’s World Cup coming to Winnipeg. People love good food and drink, and they love a good party. We want to be a part of that party,” Gillies said.

Jordon Lanthier, director of sales and marketing at the Delta Winnipeg, said as front-line ambassadors, hotel staff can recommend restaurants, services and attractions to their guests.

“They want to see the sights, the tastes and hear the sounds. They want to experience the culture, and having a service like this (will help). You don’t see this in every city,” he said.

Lanthier said he thinks the soccer tournament is the biggest tourist attraction to hit Winnipeg since the 1999 Pan Am Games.

“With the Pan Am Games, they said the world was going to come, and they did. We’re seeing it again. With a Grey Cup, you’ve got three or four days or a week. Here, you’ve got 14 days of people constantly coming in,” he said.

Syvixay said if the trolley service is a hit, the BIZ will look at using it during other tourist events, or even regular happenings such as the Santa Claus parade.

“In other cities, there’s a trolley year-round bringing people to and from different establishments,” he said.

geoff.kirbyson@freepress.mb.ca