The following statement was given today in the House of Assembly by the Honourable Derrick Dalley, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture, on behalf of the Honourable Terry French, Minister of Tourism, Culture and Recreation:

Minister Applauds 2013 Tourism Award Winners

Mr. Speaker, I rise in this Honourable House to offer congratulations to the winners of two prestigious tourism awards that were announced at the 2013 Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador Convention. They strive for excellence, they provide lasting memories for visitors, and they are fine examples of the tremendous people and organizations that make up our provincial tourism industry. They are Stan Cook Jr., who won the Doug Wheeler Award, and the Cupids Legacy Centre, which won the Cultural Tourism Award.

The Doug Wheeler Award is presented annually by the Provincial Government to honour the late Doug Wheeler, a long-time public servant who did exceptional work promoting the province as a tourism destination. The award recognizes outstanding contributions to the tourism industry, and Stan Cook Jr. is most certainly an exceptional contributor.

With his father, Stan Sr., he helped build one of province’s most successful adventure tourism operations: Stan Cook Kayaking. Since 1970, this family business has been earning provincial and national recognition for the unique experiences and world renowned hospitality they offer to outdoor enthusiasts. In addition to his work as an entrepreneur, Mr. Cook is also a tireless advocate for the provincial tourism industry. He has held positions on a number of provincial and national boards, associations, partnerships, and committees, and most notably served as President of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada.

The Cultural Tourism Award is presented by the Department of Tourism, Culture and Recreation in partnership with the Department of Canadian Heritage and Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador. It recognizes attractions that put extraordinary effort and creativity into providing authentic cultural tourism experiences – experiences that make a lasting impression on visitors, and lasting economic benefits for their region.

Mr. Speaker, the Cupids Legacy Centre is certainly deserving of the award, as it has quickly become a key provincial attraction. The centre expresses the significance of Cuper’s Cove, Canada’s first permanent English settlement, and is internationally recognized for its conservation and archival techniques, highly trained interpreters, and use of technology.

I invite my colleagues to join me in applauding both award winners for their tremendous contributions to the Newfoundland and Labrador tourism industry.

Thank you Mr. Speaker.

2013 03 13                             2:25 p.m.