Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
February 25, 2015
Honouring Success in the Tourism Industry
Minister Presents 2015 Cultural Tourism and Doug Wheeler Awards
The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, presented the Cultural Tourism Award and Doug Wheeler Award at the annual Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador Conference and Trade Show today in Gander. The Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador was recognized with the Cultural Tourism Award and O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours received the Doug Wheeler Award.
“The Wooden Boat Museum has turned an age-old tradition into a hands-on cultural tourism experience, and our government is pleased to recognize the good work of this organization. O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours have been pioneers in our province’s tourism industry. The key to their success over the years has been high-quality customer service and staying current with changing marketing trends. Congratulations to both enterprises – these awards are well deserved.”
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development
The Cultural Tourism Award is presented by the Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, Canadian Heritage, and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. It recognizes authentic cultural tourism experiences that foster economic benefit to the province.
The Doug Wheeler Award recognizes long-time service, dedication to quality, creativity, and ingenuity. The award is presented in honour of Doug Wheeler, a Provincial Government employee who was known for his dedication in promoting Newfoundland and Labrador as a tourism destination. Additional information on both awards can be found in the backgrounder below.
QUICK FACTS
- The Honourable Darin King, Minister of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development, today honoured two tourism enterprises with awards at the Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador Annual Conference in Gander.
- The Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador was recognized with the Cultural Tourism Award. The award recognizes authentic cultural tourism experiences that foster economic benefit to the province.
- O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours is the recipient of the Doug Wheeler Award which honours long-time service, dedication to quality, creativity, and ingenuity.
- 30 -
Media contact:
|
Tansy Mundon
Director of Communications Department of Business, Tourism, Culture and Rural Development 709-729-4570, 693-1865 tansymundon@gov.nl.ca |
BACKGROUNDER
2015 Cultural Tourism and Doug Wheeler Awards
Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador
Located in Winterton, Trinity Bay, this heritage attraction began in 1997 as a community museum under the direction of Winterton’s Heritage Advisory Board. The group evolved into the organization known today as the Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador to preserve the tradition and knowledge surrounding boat building.
The Wooden Boat Museum of Newfoundland and Labrador offers an authentic and enriching tourism experience. Participants actively learn how to build a traditional wooden boat through hands-on training with instruction and interpretation from local boat builders and museum staff.
O’Brien’s Whale and Bird Tours
In 1985 Joe and Loyola O’Brien began offering boat tours aboard their refurbished fishing vessel. By applying smart marketing principles and sound knowledge of their local culture and natural history, they developed a business model that has led to success.
They have built a family business and have expanded from their Cape Island style fishing boat to include a 100-passenger vessel, a popular restaurant, catering facilities, gift shop, and a small fleet of speed boats and a zodiac for more adventurous clients.
2015 02 25 1:30 p.m.