News Releases
Government Home Search Sitemap Contact Us  

February 3, 1997
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)


First Cultural Tourism Award presented

Sandra Kelly, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today announced that Rising Tide Theatre is the recipient of the first Annual Cultural Tourism Award. The award was presented at the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador Convention gala by Ms. Kelly and Vince Withers, Chief Executive Officer of NewTel Communications.

"Rising Tide Theatre has demonstrated excellence in promoting cultural expression within the province's tourism industry," Ms. Kelly said. "Since Rising Tide introduced the popular Trinity Pageant and Summer in the Bight Theatre Festival, tourism expenditures for the Bonavista Peninsula have increased to $4.3 million. This award recognizes Rising Tide Theatre's progressive efforts in creating enriched cultural tourism experiences for both residents and non-residents," the minister said. "The more than 20 nominations for the award have clearly demonstrated that there is strong industry support for the advancement of our cultural tourism product. Each of the nominees highlighted at this convention plays an important role in supporting this province's sustainable tourism products."

The Cultural Tourism Award is a new government-industry initiative in the promotion and enhancement of cultural tourism in this province. Key strategic studies into this province's tourism potential have consistently identified cultural products as leading advantages for Newfoundland and Labrador. Research indicates that cultural tourism motivates tourists to spend more and to increase their length of stay. The annual award is a joint initiative by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador, and the federal Department of Canadian Heritage, with corporate sponsorship provided by NewTel Communications. As part of its sponsorship arrangement, NewTel Communications, in consultation with the award committee, commissioned two Newfoundland and Labrador artists to create the award plaque.

"NewTel is a proud supporter and promoter of Newfoundland and Labrador's cultural tourism experience," Vince Withers said. "The purpose of this award is to bring attention to the value of cultural tourism and to those individuals and groups who communicate this province's cultural expression to visitors. As sponsor of the Cabot 500 Celebrations, and the Cabot 500 Year of the Arts initiative, communicating our culture and heritage is a rewarding and exciting challenge, and one in which all communities in this province can take advantage."

The Cultural Tourism Award was first announced by Ms. Kelly in the House of Assembly on December 9, 1996. At that time, nomination forms were mailed to tourism industry partners and related cultural and heritage interest groups throughout Newfoundland and Labrador.

Contact: Laura Cochrane, Communications Director, (709) 729-0928 fax: (709) 729-0870.

1997 02 03 1:05 p.m.

SearchHomeBack to GovernmentContact Us


All material copyright the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador. No unauthorized copying or redeployment permitted. The Government assumes no responsibility for the accuracy of any material deployed on an unauthorized server.
Disclaimer/Copyright/Privacy Statement