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Whistler launches YVR airport self serve check-in kiosk trial
May 2007
Tourism Whistler collaborates with YVR to launch kiosk program in Whistler
Whistler, B.C. - Tourism Whistler, in collaboration with Vancouver Airport Authority, has successfully launched a pilot program in Whistler to provide passengers with a more seamless travel experience.
In late November 2006, six YVR FasTrack self serve check-in kiosks were installed throughout Whistler allowing resort guests to check-in for flights at Vancouver International Airport (YVR) more quickly and avoid line-ups at the airport. Whistler represents the first municipality outside of Vancouver and Richmond to introduce the program which is resonating with guests - to date, more than 1,500 parties in Whistler have checked in for flights via the kiosks.
"More and more guests to Whistler are discovering the convenience provided by the kiosks," said Dave Clark, Manager of Visitor Services for Tourism Whistler. "We launched the program confident that this would help meet the changing needs of our visitors - and the response has been very encouraging."
The kiosks, which provide all guests to the resort with free check-in access to multiple airlines, are currently located at the Whistler Visitor Centre, Delta Whistler Village Suites, Hilton Whistler Resort & Spa, Westin Resort & Spa, Four Seasons Resort Whistler, and The Fairmont Chateau Whistler. Given the success of the program, Tourism Whistler and Vancouver Airport Authority are discussing the possibility of introducing additional kiosks at other locations in the resort.
Using the YVR FasTrack kiosks, guests can check-in for their flights within about 60 seconds and receive boarding passes up to 24 hours before their flight departure. Once at the airport, they can then proceed to their gate, either directly or after dropping off their baggage with the airline. Kiosks are also located throughout YVR's terminals, in the parking garages, at the Fairmont Vancouver Airport Hotel, and at select off-airport locations in Richmond and Vancouver. Airlines served currently include Air Canada, Air Canada Jazz and Westjet. Plans are underway to expand the participation of airlines to include all major U.S. and international carriers.
In 2006, YVR launched 38 new off-airport kiosks, including six in Whistler, and approximately 2.4 million passengers used self-service check-in kiosks, including 100,000 who used them offsite.
