North Shore mountains reflected in downtown Vancouver BC building.
Below, seared foie gras at MARKET by Jean-Georges, one of 215 restaurants in the upcoming Dine Out Vancouver promotion
It's no secret that I'm not a fan of Dine Out promotions (see this post in which I suggest that patronizing local restaurants during special promotions, hurts, not helps).
Lo and behold, Vancouver, BC, has come up with a twist. Dine Out Vancouver is a two-week promotion that differs in significant ways. First of all, three price points for the restaurants ($18, $28 and $38), rather than a one-price-fits-all. So you get high-end joints as well as smaller, ethnic restaurants. If there's a shortcoming, it's a paucity of Vancouver's thrilling Asian places. On the other hand, there are additional culinary events, such as cooking classes. And (this is the part I'm thrilled about) reduced rates at a couple dozen good, better & best hotels (rates at $68, $98 and $138 a night).
Targeting a promotion to visitors rather than bargain-hunting locals is nothing short of genius: it's clear from the outset that your buyers aren't going to become regulars, except, perhaps, on a turn trip to Vancouver. The hotels put happy, sated bodies into their beds, and the whole promotion is run out of the Tourism Vancouver offices. It's a business builder for the entire city, not just one or two dinner houses
Says Mayor Gregor Robertson explains why: "Vancouver is consistently named one of the top dining cities in the world and Dine Out Vancouver certainly contributes to our city's food culture and reputation."
Dine Out Vancouver runs from Monday, Jan. 24th, to Sunday, February 6th. Full list of restaurants, menus, and participating hotels at www.tourismvancouver.com/dov
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