FREDERICTON (CNB) - Tourism operators gathered together to celebrate
the accomplishments of the industry and recognize the efforts of their
peers at an
awards dinner on Saturday, Oct. 29. Presentations were made for both
the province's Tourism Excellence and Innovation Awards and the Tourism
Industry
Association of New Brunswick's (TIANB) pioneer award.
TIANB President Steven Young presented the prestigious Pioneer Award
to John Dixon and Maynard Shore of Management 2000 for their
contributions to the advancement of the tourism industry in New
Brunswick. The winners formed a partnership in 1999 and specialize in
the management of hotels and restaurants. They operate the Ramada
Crystal Palace Hotel in Moncton, McGinnis Landing Restaurant in Moncton
and own the Fredericton Ramada. High standards and a
strong committed relationship with their staff are key factors to their
success.
"While we are constantly looking to the future to determine the best
ways to develop and grow our industry, it is also important to
acknowledge our current and
past accomplishments," Young said. "These awards are one means of
recognizing the important achievements within our industry. Tourism is
a significant
contributor to the province's economy and employs more than 31,000 New
Brunswickers, two-thirds of which are full-time year-round jobs. I'm
happy to join
with the Department of Tourism and Parks to celebrate the strength of
our industry."
"I am pleased to join with industry to formally
acknowledge the creativity and success of New Brunswick's tourism
operators," Tourism and Parks Minister Joan MacAlpine-Stiles said. "I
am proud of the work we accomplish through our close working
relationship with TIANB. These award winners are excellent
examples of the vision and innovation that will ensure a strong future
for New Brunswick's billion-dollar tourism industry."
The Office du Tourisme Edmundston Madawaska won in the Marketing
category thanks to development of a highly effective, regionally based
marketing
strategy revolving around the theme "The Legendary Republic of
Madawaska." The strategic marketing alliance it has forged amongst
municipal, industry and
provincial and federal government partners has succeeded in building
awareness of the Madawaska region as a tourism destination, producing
increased
visitation and extended visitor stays. The Olivier Soapery, Canada's
Soap Economuseum in Sainte-Anne-de-Kent and Aitkens Pewter in
Fredericton were
finalists in the Marketing category.
Cape Enrage Interpretive Centre Incorporated won in the Product
Development category. Since 1992, Cape Enrage has grown from an
unknown, inaccessible
and undeveloped site to a top provincial attraction. An energetic group
of volunteers and students continues the work of restoring, maintaining
and enhancing
this site, contributing significantly to the region, and making Cape
Enrage a truly memorable experience for the thousands of people who
visit it each year.
London-Wul Fibre Arts and Evelyn's Bed and Breakfast/Ox-Bow Farm Tours
were finalists in the Product Development category.
Saint John Fundy Heritage Zone won in the Partnerships category. In
an exceptional example of innovative thinking the twelve-member Fundy
Museum Zone
Partnership, in conjunction with Tourism Saint John, and the students
of UNBSJ's Heritage Tourism Class developed a successful regional
heritage tourism
product. By clustering the area's museum offerings, integrating their
promotional activities with the Bay of Fundy product promotion and very
effectively
using existing distribution channels to communicate to potential
customers, the partners have achieved their goals of increased
visibility and visitation. Finalists
in the Partnerships category also included l'Acadie des terres et
forêts en fête; and Caribbean Flavas Restaurant and the Carleton II.
The Excellence and Innovation Award winners are selected by a
five-person panel of nationally-recognized tourism industry experts.
Viola Léger won the special Minister's Award for Tourism Excellence
in recognition of her years of dedicated service as a performing
artist, teach, story teller,
director and Senator. She is recognized internationally for her
depiction of Antonine Maillet's much loved character, La Sagouine, for
over 30 years. Since
1992, her enthusiastic involvement in one of New Brunswick's icon
Acadian attractions, Le Pays de la Sagouine, has allowed visitors to
experience La
Sagouine in the character's historic and cultural homeland,
contributing to the impact of her performance and to the success of
this important cultural attraction.
05/10/31
MEDIA CONTACT: Danielle McFarlane, communications, Tourism and Parks, 506-444-4454. |
