Stumble Upon

del.icio.us

Digg

Facebook

Print

Email

speakup

Susan Butler has won the Minister's Award for Tourism Excellence for her efforts with the Miramichi Folksong Festival when tourism operators gathered recently to celebrate the accomplishments of the industry.

Enlarge Photo

Daniel St Louis photo

Susan Butler accepts the Minister’s Award for Tourism Excellence.

As well, New Brunswick Community College Miramichi was the runner up for the 2008 Tourism Excellence and Innovation Awards in Partnerships Award.

A press release announcing the awards describes the Minister's Award for Tourism Excellence as having been created "to salute individuals or organizations within the province who have undertaken special initiatives in support of the provincial tourism strategy that have resulted in significant economic spin-offs for the tourism industry or have greatly enhanced the tourism experience for visitors."

The release continues: "For more than a quarter of a century later, Susan Butler has volunteered as the director of the festival. What started as a three-day event is now a week-long celebration with shows that attract visitors from around the world. There are open-air concerts, noon luncheons with live music, workshops and much more. Under her guidance, the folksong fest has expanded into the rest of the calendar year. She organizes year-round concerts and dinner theatre, keeping the spirit of the festival alive throughout the year."

In presenting the 2008 Tourism Excellence and Innovation Awards, Tourism and Parks Minister Stuart Jamieson said, "I am pleased to take the opportunity to celebrate the achievements of our tourism industry. New Brunswick's tourism operators know how to be innovative, to leverage resources and partnership opportunities, to develop product offerings, to be creative in marketing opportunities — all in order to excel in meeting and exceeding the expectations of our visitors."

The press release explains, "The Tourism Excellence and Innovation Awards celebrate the achievements of the businesses, operators and organizations that capitalize on New Brunswick's natural wonders, rich heritage and cultural diversity to create outstanding tourism experiences. They recognize exceptional performance in product development, marketing and creative partnerships."

Nominations were evaluated by a panel of experts comprising tourism industry representatives from New Brunswick and elsewhere who are recognized for their experience with and knowledge of the tourism sector.

Other winners included:

• The St. John River Valley Tourism Association (SJRVTA) won the Excellence and Innovation in Tourism Marketing Award.

• Harbour Tide Inn Bed and Breakfast of Black's Harbour was the runner up for the marketing award.

• Mayor Aldéo Saulnier accepted the Excellence and Innovation in Tourism Partnerships Award on behalf of the Town of Bouctouche.

• The Excellence and Innovation in Product Development Award was given to Club Wind and Kite Ltée of the Acadian Peninsula.

• Shogomoc Railway and Riverside Park of Bristol was the runner up for the product development award.

"This year's winners and nominees are excellent examples of the vision and innovation that will ensure a strong future for New Brunswick's tourism industry," Jamieson said. "I am extremely proud of the significant achievements of the whole industry. I am confident that the creativity, hard work and commitment to excellence demonstrated by tourism operators will ensure our continued success in the tourism sector."