Media contact: Linda Whitfield, Travel Manitoba
Ph: 204-927-7825; [email protected]
Celebrating Excellence at Manitoba Tourism Awards
The winners of Travel Manitoba’s 13th annual Manitoba Tourism Awards, featuring this year’s presenting sponsors Manitoba Lotteries, were announced yesterday at a gala event at the Delta Winnipeg. The Manitoba Tourism Awards recognize outstanding contributions to the provincial tourism industry, including promoting Manitoba as a destination, providing memorable service to visitors and developing the tourism industry.
The Honourable Flor Marcelino, Minister of Culture, Heritage and Tourism, along with Travel Manitoba Board Chair Bob Sparrow presented the awards to the winners in each of the nine categories. The winners are:
Travel Manitoba Award of Distinction – Dauphin’s Countryfest
Recognized as a premier event in Manitoba that has brought thousands of visitors to the Parkland region for an extremely successful music festival which has given back more than $4.5 million to the community since it began in 1990.
Aspiring Youth Award – Monique Olivier
Recognized for her extensive volunteer work with tourism attractions and her current roles at the Festival du Voyageur and Riel House in creating interpretive programs.
Aboriginal Tourism Award – St. Malo Festival of Friends-Festival des Amis.
Recognized for showcasing Métis culture and history through this annual festival which also highlights the value of bilingualism to the community.
Marketing Excellence Award – Manitoba Homecoming 2010
Recognized for its innovative marketing campaign that encouraged Manitobans to get involved and was successful in incorporating social media with traditional marketing channels.
Partnership Award – West Interlake Trading Company
Recognized for its collaborative approach to promoting tourism through packaging and joint marketing in the southwest Interlake area.
Product Development Award – The Incorporated Community of Nelson House Fishing Derby
Recognized for growing their annual ice fishing derby from a local event with 30 participants to an event attended by over 1,000 people from across Manitoba and Canada.
Service Excellence Award – Aikens Lake Wilderness Lodge
Recognized for meeting and exceeding the changing needs and expectations of its clients through infrastructure improvements, staff training, all-inclusive packages and a welcoming atmosphere.
Sustainable Tourism Award – Dauphin’s Countryfest
Recognized for limiting environmental impacts of the festival through initiatives such as the on-site recycling compound and for ensuring cultural diversity in the festival’s offerings.
Volunteer of the Year Award – Bette Mueller
Recognized for her dedication to tourism in the Pembina/Manitou area, including as a founding member of the Pembina Manitou Tourism Committee, Pembina Manitou Log House Tourism Centre and of the Nellie McClung Foundation.
“Manitoba’s success as a tourism destination is linked directly to the achievements of those businesses and individuals who have been recognized by the Manitoba Tourism Awards over the years they have been presented,” said Colin Ferguson, Travel Manitoba President and CEO. “What all of the nominees, finalists and winners have in common is the ability to offer exceptional service and engaging and distinctive experiences that are the core of our province’s tourism industry.”
Nominations for the Manitoba Tourism Awards are submitted by industry peers and 27 were chosen as finalists. Finalists and winners were selected by an industry-based judging panel. Winners received a trophy and the right to use the Manitoba Tourism Award symbol for advertising and promotion as well as promotion on Travel Manitoba’s website.
Travel Manitoba is a Crown Corporation under provincial legislation that leads and stimulates sustainable tourism growth in Manitoba’s $1.19 billion tourism industry. In partnership with the tourism industry, the agency is responsible for tourism marketing, visitor information services, product development, research and public information.
