B.C. Cities Compete for Heated Rivalry Star Hudson Williams to Boost Tourism

British Columbia cities are engaged in a friendly rivalry to claim Hudson Williams, the star of the hit show “Heated Rivalry.” This series dives into the romance between rival hockey players. Williams, known for his role as Shane Hollander, has strong ties to several B.C. locations.

B.C. Cities Compete for Hudson Williams to Boost Tourism

Williams was born in Kelowna and has roots in Kamloops, where he grew up. He currently resides in Vancouver and has previously worked in New Westminster. As his show’s popularity grows, tourism organizations are leveraging his fame to promote their respective cities.

Social Media Strategies

• Destination Vancouver: Changed its Instagram bio to call itself the “home of Hudson Williams.”
• Kamloops: Initially claimed to be the “birthplace of Hudson Williams,” but later adjusted this after clarification.
• New Westminster: Reference its connection by highlighting Williams’ former job at the Old Spaghetti Factory.

Samantha Clark, marketing manager for Destination Vancouver, acknowledged the playful competition. “I’m in a Heated Rivalry psychosis and I’m all for it,” she stated. After Ottawa Tourism labeled itself as “birthplace of Shane Hollander,” Vancouver had to respond to maintain its stake in the rivalry.

Community Engagement

Tourism New Westminster is actively promoting its ties to Williams. Marketing manager Jasmine Crisp commented, “Once you’ve served spaghetti in New West, you’re officially a New Westie.” Williams recently visited to reconnect with former colleagues from the restaurant.

Further heightening the playful competition, Douglas College in New Westminster remarked that it is “across the street from Hudson Williams’ former workplace.” Additionally, Langara College in Vancouver is marketing itself as Williams’ alma mater.

Impact on Tourism

Clark noted that this social media banter is beneficial for B.C. tourism. Destination Vancouver even developed a travel guide for fans, highlighting stops like the Old Spaghetti Factory. “This show has beautifully showcased Canada,” she added, emphasizing its international appeal.

As the discussion around Williams heats up, the claim may extend beyond local divisions. Recently, both Williams and his co-star Connor Storrie were named torchbearers for the Olympic flame at the upcoming Milan Cortina Games in February. This event is set to further enhance their visibility and the interest in both the show and their hometowns.

“Heated Rivalry,” based on a popular book series by Nova Scotia’s Rachel Reid, has solidified its status as an international phenomenon. The engaging storyline and Williams’ popularity have led to appearances on late-night talk shows and significant events like the Golden Globes.