October 6, 2005

Victoria, BC – The Butchart Gardens, Canada’s most visited privately owned attraction, welcomed its 50 millionth guest today setting an historic milestone for the 101-year-old attraction and the province. The Gardens celebrated the moment when Karin Matula of Fort Worth, Texas walked through the gates and was met by a VIP reception. “My husband David and I are on our 25th wedding anniversary trip and we escaped the 101 degree temperatures of home. My mother, who has visited, is a master gardener and she told us we must visit The Butchart Gardens,” said Matula. “This is absolutely marvelous.”

“This is an important event for The Butchart Gardens, the city of Victoria and the province of British Columbia,” said Alison Partridge, director of public relations and marketing. “Over 100 years, The Butchart Gardens has developed into one of the most significant attractions in North America and has played a large role in the development of the tourism industry in Victoria and on Vancouver Island.”

The Honourable David Anderson, member of parliament for Victoria offered his congratulations by e-mail as did Rod Harris, president and CEO, Tourism British Columbia.

Commenting on the significance of reaching fifty million visitors, Dale Dyck, president of the Hotel Association of Victoria stated “The Butchart Gardens has long been an icon for Victoria and Vancouver Island. Known around the world, the Butchart Gardens attracts thousands of visitors every year. Many of those visitors to Victoria decide to come here based upon the exceptional reputation of the Gardens. Once here, they need hotels to stay in and that provides a benefit to the local hotels that we would not otherwise enjoy. We are very fortunate to have a world class attraction like the Butchart Gardens to enhance and promote Victoria as a destination.”

Gray Line West – Victoria general manager Gary Gale, who was on hand, stated "In many ways The Butchart Gardens is the world class attraction bringing tourists to our city from around the globe; it is only when they arrive they realize Victoria is a world class city and that keeps them coming back. The Gardens have been a cornerstone in the Victoria tourism trade and they create opportunities in attracting cruise ship business, day visitors from Seattle and group travel from many of the markets we serve.”

Matula was provided with a special commemorative certificate, a brimming gift basket from The Gardens gift shop, a variety of other gifts, and a private tour by David Clarke, a thirty-eight year employee of The Gardens.
 
The Butchart Gardens was created in 1904 by Jennie Butchart out of her husband’s worked-out limestone quarry site, welcoming over one million guests from around the world each year, and it has been designated a National Historic Site. The 22 hectare (55 acre) year round gardens are located 20 km (13 miles) north of the city of Victoria, British Columbia, on the Saanich Peninsula. Visitors can reach southern Vancouver Island by ferry from Tsawwassen on the British Columbia mainland or from the United States ferry terminals in Anacortes and Port Angeles, Washington; by high-speed catamaran from Seattle; or by plane to Victoria International Airport or Victoria harbour.


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