The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) says special events are dominating the annual tourism awards.
There are three Award categories: The Marilyn Alexander Tourism Champion Award, The Business of Distinction and The Special Event of the Year. Award winners will be announced at the Ottawa Valley Tourist Association’s virtual Annual General Meeting on Monday, May 31st, 2021.
The co-owner of Bonnechere Caves, Chris Hinsperger, says after a year that saw a lot of businesses in the hospitality and tourism industry challenged like never before, the annual Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards represents a bit of light on the horizon.
Director of Sales at the Pembroke Best Western, Meghan James, says during a time when communities were challenged, it is nice to see that people still made an effort to get together and celebrate, albeit under certain conditions. She adds this shows the creativity and resiliency of our tourism community in the valley.
Hinsperber and James are the OVTA awards committee co-chairs and say they were very pleased with the nominations received, especially in the Special Events category.
Submissions were received for:
- The Farm to Fork Dinner Series at the Whitewater Inn
- Light up the Valley
- The Eganville Curling Clubs’ Rock the Rings
- The Ontario Festival of Small Halls
- The Bonnechere Caves On-line Underground Concert Series
- The Opeongo Nordic Ski Clubs’ Ski Loppet
- The Tour de Bonnechere – Ghost de Tour 2020
- The Bonnechere Caves Rock ‘n Roll Parking Lot Picnic.
Hinsperger says during this pandemic the hospitality and tourism industry was the first to be hit, was the hardest hit and will be the last of our industries to fully recover. He adds the awards process leaves himself and others fully optimistic about our positive outcomes.
