August 29, 1996
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)
American Bus Association names Matthew Visit the number one tourism
event in Canada for 1997
The American Bus Association (ABA) today announced its top 100 tourism events for 1997 in North America. The top events named for both Canada and the United States were Newfoundland and Labrador's The Matthew Visit of the Cabot 500th Anniversary Celebrations and Oregon's Portland Rose Festival.
"This prestigious award recognizes the quality and scope of the anniversary celebrations taking place throughout Newfoundland and Labrador next year," Premier Brian Tobin said. "This type of acknowledgement will work to increase awareness for our first-class tourism product and our special celebration year."
The American Bus Association releases its Top 100 Events in North America list each year in Washington, D.C. The list showcases an extensive inventory of the best festivals and events being celebrated each year in both Canada and the United States. Originating from the top 100 list, one event in each country is named as the premiere event for that year.
"As part of the award, an extensive write-up on The Matthew Visit and the Cabot Celebrations will be placed in the September edition of the association's publication Destinations," the Premier said. "This no-cost, third-party endorsement will likely increase our tour bus traffic to the province both next year and for years to come."
The American Bus Association is the trade association of the intercity motorcoach industry in the United States. It began its Top 100 program in 1982 in an attempt to assist charter and tour operators in planning itineraries. Today, the program attracts worldwide attention from the general public as well as from tour planners. All ABA members will be sent a copy of the September issue of the association's publication. The publication will also be distributed to government leaders and the media and is also available to the general public.
In determining the Top 100 list, ABA solicits upwards of seven nominations from each state and provincial tourism office each year. A committee of motorcoach and travel industry professionals evaluates the entries based on their appeal and accessibility to motorcoach groups as well as to diverse audiences. This is the first year for a Newfoundland and Labrador event to receive the number one placement on the list. In past years, ABA has identified provincial events in its top 100 listing including the Sound Symposium, the Signal Hill Tattoo, and The Royal St. John's Regatta.
Contact: Laura Cochrane, Director of Communications, (709) 729- 0928.
| 1996 08 29 | 11:15 a.m. |
