ROCKY MOUNTAINEER CELEBRATES MILLIONTH PASSENGER

Wisconsin couple surprised with more than $9,000 in prizes

The lucky winners, Mark and Catherine Casper of Superior, Wisconsin, boarding the Rocky Mountaineer

Rocky Mountaineer Vacations, owners and operators of the Rocky Mountaineer and Whistler Mountaineer trains in Western Canada, celebrated a major milestone yesterday morning – welcoming its one-millionth guest.

 

Company founder and executive chairman, Peter Armstrong and president, Randy Powell revealed the exciting news to a crowd of more than 700 travellers, staff and stakeholders at the Rocky Mountaineer Station in Vancouver. Mark and Catherine Casper from Superior, Wisconsin were randomly selected and awarded with prizes valued at over $9,000.

“Reaching the one million guest mark is a remarkable milestone and something we are extremely proud of,” said Randy Powell, president of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations. “Even though this is a significant achievement, we are already setting a goal to double that number and expect to host two million guests by 2013.”

Among the fanfare and fireworks, the Caspers were awarded a Classic Rail Vacation trip for two onboard the Rocky Mountaineer in GoldLeaf Service including deluxe accommodations, return airfare from Wisconsin, a $600 Fairmont Hotels & Resorts gift card, upgrades to deluxe accommodations and limo transfers.

Tourism Kamloops has also created a celebratory package, which includes return airfare from Vancouver to Kamloops, B.C., a three-day car rental and complimentary overnight stays at luxurious properties within the Kamloops region.

 

Peter Armstrong, founder & executive chairman, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations; lucky winners Mark & Catherine Casper; "Rocky", the RMV mascot

The one-millionth guest was randomly selected on the day of the event and Ambassadors, or runners up, were also recognized as supporters of Rocky Mountaineer Vacations and each received prizes worth $1,500. The Ambassadors are from the company’s key markets, including Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand.

Best known for the world-acclaimed Rocky Mountaineer train, a two-day, all daylight rail journey through Canada’s West and the Canadian Rockies, Rocky Mountaineer Vacations also offers trips onboard the Whistler Mountaineer train, a daily three-hour experience between North Vancouver and Whistler, B.C.

Since its inception in 1990, the company has grown to be the largest privately owned passenger rail service in North America. In 2007, RMV was honoured with the World Travel Award as “World’s Leading Travel Experience by Train” for the third consecutive year.