VANOC encourages Hosts who cannot attend an event to transfer tickets to friends and family within the Sea to Sky corridor. Incentive program tickets cannot be sold (this includes using the Vancouver 2010 ticket management site).
Guests will be matched with their Hosts no later than the end of January 2010. Some Guests may be matched with their Host as early as mid-December 2009.
While foreign language skills are beneficial, they are not a requirement of the Program.
Guests qualify for the program if all of the following criteria are met:
- the Guest is an official VANOC volunteer assigned to a Whistler venue
- the Guest does not own property or have accommodation in the Sea to Sky area
- the Guest does not reside in the Sea to Sky area on a full- or part-time basis
All VANOC volunteers will be qualified and accredited (which includes a background security check) by VANOC.
Hosts and Guests will be matched, primarily, by proximity to Whistler venues.
As a Host, you will become involved in a rich and rewarding Games experience on a very personal level. As a community, you can expect a global volunteer presence and opportunity for cultural exchange.
Hosts share their homes by providing Guests with a private bedroom, access to a shared or private bathroom and daily breakfast. Guest access to laundry and kitchen facilities in the home is appreciated. Hosts are asked to pick up their Guest(s) at one of three Homestay Reception Centres (depending on which Reception Centre is most convenient for the Host) at the beginning of the Guest(s)’ stay.
The 2010 Winter Games Homestay Program is an official Program of the Vancouver Organizing Committee for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games (VANOC). The 2010 Winter Games Homestay Program involves a Host family who provides accommodation for one or more Guest(s) in their home during the 2010 Winter Games. Host families live in communities with convenient access to Whistler Games venues and Guests are VANOC volunteers essential to the operation of the Games at Whistler. Host families are being asked to provide their Guest(s) with bed and breakfast on a complimentary basis. Guests will require accommodation for up to 20 nights.
