No one was more on the edge of their seats than the citizens of Vancouver and Whistler on the morning of July 3, 2003. When IOC President Jacques Rogge announced the results, with that dramatic little pause, there has never been a greater release of tension.

It has been more than 20 years since Canada last hosted the Olympics. And it was a squeaker. Vancouver beat Pyeongchang, South Korea, by just three votes in the second ballot. Salzburg, Austria, had been removed as a contender after the first ballot. Vegas book makers had predicated a close ballot, but not with South Korea. In the end, Vancouver captured 56 votes to Pyeongchang's 53 votes. South Korea nearly won the first ballot by three votes, but in the end lost by the same amount.

The tourism impact for Canada and British Columbia is a much needed boost at a time when the tourism industry needs some wind in its sails. The 2010 Winter Olympics will provide ongoing international attention to Vancouver and Whistler.

2010 has encouraged Quokka Systems to push the idea that online booking is the equivalent of your the toll free number for your non North American customers. It is very important that a web site have a means to book or buy, particularly when we have invited the world to visit.

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