October 5, 1999
(Tourism, Culture and Recreation)

Vikings! 1000 named as a top event by American Bus Association

Charles Furey, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, announced today that the Vikings 1000! Make the Journey project has been named one of the 100 top events in North America for the year 2000 by the American Bus Association (ABA)

"I'm delighted that our event has made this prestigious list, especially in light of the quantity and quality of millennium events that are being planned all over North America," Minister Furey said. "It's a tribute to the hard work and extensive planning that has gone into making Vikings! 1000 an event of great international significance. It also speaks well of the continued growth in the bus tour market, particularly in western Newfoundland."

As the trade organization of the motorcoach industry, the ABA selects events that appeal to group travellers and that showcase North America's rich diversity. The association initiated the program in 1982 as a benefit for motorcoach tour and charter members, offering group tour organizers a reference for preparing fresh and exciting itineraries.

Members of the ABA's 2000 Top 100 Events selection committee choose from among hundreds of U.S. and Canadian events nominated by state and provincial tourism offices and visitors bureaus. In selecting Vikings! 1000 years, the committee considered the event's broad appeal, its accessability to motorcoaches and other large groups, and a variety of other relevant quality criteria. The winning events were announced in the October issue of the ABA's Destinations magazine.

Vikings! 1000 Make the Journey is a project of the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation, the Viking Trail Tourism Association and Parks Canada.

Media contact: George Earles, Public Relations/Communications, Vikings! 1000, (709) 729-4825.

1999 10 05 9:35 a.m.