The Honourable Clyde Jackman, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, today presented two prestigious awards, the Cultural Tourism Award and the Doug Wheeler Award, to leaders and innovators in the province�s tourism and cultural tourism sectors. The presentations took place in Corner Brook, during Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador�s 26^th annual convention and trade show.

Festival 500: Sharing the Voices is this year�s recipient of the Cultural Tourism Award, presented annually by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador (HNL).

"This award acknowledges the innovative pursuit of cultural expression within the tourism industry � and there is little doubt the Festival 500 international choral festival fits the criteria," said Minister Jackman. "A legacy of the Cabot 500 Anniversary Celebration in 1997, Festival 500: Sharing the Voices, and the accompanying academic symposium, brings about 2,400 visiting singers, conductors and scholars from other countries and cultures to our province."

Festival 500 is held every two years, with performances and activities held throughout the province. This year�s event will be held July 2-12.

The Doug Wheeler Award is presented annually to honour Mr. Wheeler, a provincial public servant, who passed away in 1981. The award commemorates his tireless efforts to promote Newfoundland and Labrador as a tourism destination.

Minister Jackman presented this year�s Doug Wheeler Award to siblings Steve Sparkes, Bruce Sparkes, and Judy Sparkes-Giannou.

"The Sparkes siblings have taken a family legacy and each, in their own right, has made significant contributions of time, effort and resources to make our tourism industry stronger," said Minister Jackman. "In addition to owning and operating hotels, a tour company, and companies that service the tourism industry, they each spend countless hours volunteering on tourism boards and committees. The collective contribution the Sparkes family has made to the tourism industry in this province is nothing short of extraordinary."

This year�s Doug Wheeler Award was accompanied by an original carved sculpture by Inuk artist John Terriak of Nain. Entitled Caribou Dreams, the sculpture is made of serpentine, sinew and caribou antler.

- 30 -