Celtic Colours International Festival was named the winner of the National Cultural Tourism Award. This is only the second year that Cultural Tourism has been added to the TIAC awards and Celtic Colours was a finalist in both 2010 and 2011. Celtic Colours received the TIAC award for Event of the Year in 2007.
“It is a great honour to be recognized on a national level,” said Artistic Director Joella Foulds. “It is a testament to the attraction people have to our unique culture. Our focus has always been to present an authentic cultural experience within a world-class framework.”
The Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star, were established in 2003 to recognize those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada. Selected by a jury of tourism industry professionals, the awards were handed out November 24, 2011 at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa.
“TIAC wishes to congratulate the fourteen recipients of the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards,” said TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein. “This outstanding group of individuals and organizations have demonstrated ingenuity, perseverance and determination on the path to success and are a testament to the strength of Canada’s tourism industry. We are very pleased to recognize them as organizations and individuals who help make Canada a world-class destination.”
“The board is proud to be associated with an organization that strives to reach a world-class standard in all areas of its operations,” commented Robert Sampson, Chair of the Celtic Colours Festival Society. “The word ‘International’ in our name symbolizes our effort to reach out to a global audience and this award recognizes the success we’ve had in that regard. Joella, Mary Pat Mombourquette, our staff and our thousands of volunteers have made all of Cape Breton proud.”
The 16th annual Celtic Colours International Festival will be held October 5th-13th 2012 and will present over 300 artists at more than 40 shows, 200 community cultural events and a nightly Festival Club.
