Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/135798
General Information Canada customs and entry regulations Travelling by land or sea: U.S. citizens entering by sea or at land ports of entry are required to have documents that comply with the Western Hemisphere Travel Initiative, most commonly a U.S. passport, a passport card, a trusted traveller card such as NEXUS, SENTRI or FAST, or an enhanced driver's licence. Visit travel.state.gov or getyouhome.gov, or call 877.227.5511 for more information. Travelling by air: All Canadian and U.S. citizens travelling by air between the United States and Canada must have a valid passport or NEXUS card (at airports with NEXUS kiosks). For more information, visit the Canada Border Services Agency. Visitors from other countries to Canada, including U.S. citizens entering Canada from another country, must have a valid passport and, depending on the country, a visitor's visa (check with your local Canadian consulate or embassy). Sales taxes A federal goods and services tax (GST) of five per cent applies to most purchased goods and services. In addition, a provincial sales tax (PST) of seven per cent is applicable to most retail purchases excepting accommodation, which is taxed at eight per cent, and liquor, which is taxed at 10 per cent. In Vancouver, an additional hotel room tax of two per cent is levied by the local municipal government. Destination Marketing Fee Vancouver hoteliers under the umbrella of the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association introduced a Destination Marketing Fee (DMF) to increase funding for the marketing of Vancouver as a destination. The DMF is collected and administered by the Vancouver Hotel Destination Association and applies to guest-room rental for stays of fewer than 30 days. For further information, please email info@vanhda.ca. Foreign Convention GST tax Rebate Program When you host a meeting in Vancouver and your conference has more than 75 per cent non-Canadian-resident attendees, and your organization is headquartered outside of Canada, you could qualify for the Foreign Convention and Tour Incentive Program. Foreign conventions may be able to recover 100 per cent of the GST that they pay on meeting-related 16 welcome to vancouver expenses and 50 per cent of the GST paid for group catered food and beverage services. Contact Tourism Vancouver's Meeting and Conventions Team for more information. Services and recreation for disabled travellers Vancouver enjoys a reputation for being one of the most accessible cities in the world for travellers with special needs. • Vancouver International Airport (YVR) exceeds the national and provincial building code standards for people with hearing, visual or mobility impairments. • All Vancouver taxi companies provide wheelchair-accessible vans. • For renting lift-equipped vans, contact the Canadian Paraplegic Association. 604.324.3611 • For BC Ferries, wheelchair users should request parking near the elevator at the time of ticket purchase. All washrooms and deck areas are accessible. The ferry route up the Inside Passage to Prince Rupert also has accessible staterooms. 604.669.1211 • Greyhound Bus Lines has lift-equipped service from Vancouver to Kelowna, Calgary and Prince George, with stops in major centres along these routes. 1.800.661.8747 • Pacific Coach Lines offers accessible service between Vancouver and Victoria. 604.662.7575 • Rocky Mountaineer offers a two-day trip from Vancouver to Jasper or Banff with an overnight stay in an accessible hotel in Kamloops. 604.606.7245 • Of all modes of rail travel, Via Rail is very responsive to passengers' special needs. Services vary depending on stations and train facilities. 1.888.VIA.RAIL, 604.842.7245 Photo: Canadian Tourism Commission