• Contribute to the economic and social well being of the regions in which we operate, leading to the development of positive long-term relationships with key community stakeholders.
• Take significant steps to protect the environment through which we travel and contribute to the protection of Canada’s natural resources.
• Develop programs and policies that support and acknowledge the history of Canada’s heritage in the regions in which Armstrong Group operates.
• Support and enhance employee retention programs that allow Armstrong Group to recruit, hire and retain the best employees and be an employer of choice in the tourism sector.
• Educate our employees, guests and suppliers about our sustainability goals and objectives and encourage their participation.
• Be a role model in the North American tourism sector for sustainability goals and objectives and participate in the mentoring of other organizations.

In 2007, Armstrong Group received Tourism BC’s Foresight Sustainability Award for its leadership in the development, implementation and advocacy of sustainable tourism policies and programs.

Green Fuel: Using Bio-diesel in Coaches
To reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Gray Line West recently converted all 130 of its coaches to bio-diesel fuel.

Thompson Hotel – A “Green Key” Property
Many Rocky Mountaineer Vacations guests spend the night at Armstrong Group’s Thompson Hotel and Conference Centre in Kamloops, which recently achieved Three Green Keys from the Hotel Association of Canada’s Green Key Eco-Rating Program.

Economic Sustainability
Rocky Mountaineer trains and Gray Line West motorcoaches pass through many communities in BC and Alberta. We promote regional tourism and encourage regional economic development, using local businesses and suppliers whenever possible.   Rocky Mountaineer Vacations and Gray Line West guests contribute to local economies through accommodation, dining, shopping and visiting local attractions. Armstrong Group also employs people in the communities to meet the needs of the guests or to service our trains and motorcoaches.

In 2008, Armstrong Group will be taking it even further by piloting “Gold Rush, Rails and Rockies Adventure”, a new package designed to work with local operators and highlight the best of the Cariboo and North Central region of British Columbia. If the pilot is successful, the company plans to expand these types of packaging opportunities across BC and into Alberta.

Community Partnerships

• Protecting and enhancing salmon stocks with the Pacific Salmon Foundation
  Founded in 1987, the Pacific Salmon Foundation is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to rebuilding sustainable and naturally diverse Pacific salmon stocks. Rocky Mountaineer and Whistler Mountaineer trains and Gray Line West motorcoach routes follow some of the most important salmon habitats in North America. In 2007, we entered into an eight-year financial partnership with the Pacific Salmon Foundation; eight years is the equivalent of two salmon lifecycles.
• Fostering the growth of Olympic champions
  RMV has offered a helping hand to a local athlete by investing $15,000 over a three-year period supporting a program developed by 2010 Legacies Now called Growing Champions. Since the Rocky Mountaineer train operates in Western Canada with one of their routes travelling through the Cariboo Chilcotin region, the company has naturally decided to support an athlete, Christopher Campbell, from 150 Mile House.

Corporate Support
Armstrong Group donates more than $500,000 annually to support local charity fundraisers and community initiatives. Last year, more than 75 organizations benefitted from this commitment, including Engineers Without Borders, a Canadian organization that aims to reduce poverty by helping people in developing countries gain access to appropriate technologies.

For more information on the Armstrong Group’s sustainable tourism and development activities, please visit www.rockymountaineer.com/sustainable_development.