Destination Cape Breton Association (DCBA) hosted an Industry Day and Cape Breton Tourism Hall of Fame Awards Luncheon April 21, 2011. Working with partner associations and stakeholders, Destination Cape Breton Association presented the 2011 Cape Breton Island Product Development and Marketing Plans. The Cape Breton Tourism Hall of Fame awards and newly announced tourism awards were presented during the Luncheon.
Cape Breton native Michele McKenzie from the Canadian Tourism Commission, and Ruth Goldbloom (Schwartz) gave encouraging and inspiring words of advice to the Cape Breton Tourism industry crowd after being warmed up by a spirited set by Dawn & Margie Beaton, accompanied by Jason Roach. Master of Ceremonies Ian McNeil guided the awards process through the presentations of the Tourism awards for Outstanding Visitor Services to Baddeck Area Business and Tourism Association; Outstanding Product Development awarded to Cape Breton Centre for Craft and Design; and Outstanding Marketing awarded to Cape Breton Resorts. With the final presentation of the luncheon, Celtic Colours International Festival founders, Joella Foulds and Max MacDonald were inducted into the Cape Breton Tourism Hall of Fame for their outstanding contribution to the tourism industry over the past 15 years and the success of the Celtic Colours International Festival.
“Tourism in Cape Breton has been allowed to sustain itself through very challenging times these past few years and while much of this will also be attributed to the special place that Cape Breton is, the direct contribution made by many outstanding individuals can never be overlooked. We are delighted to have had the opportunity to recognize a few of these very committed tourism partners,” said Mary Tulle, CEO, Destination Cape Breton Association.
Destination Cape Breton was busy again this past weekend hosting the Cape Breton Island Experience Showcase section at the Saltscapes Expo in Halifax. Saltcapes Expo is the largest consumer show in Atlantic Canada, and Cape Breton Island was well represented with over 50 Cape Bretoners having the largest and strongest presence of all regional Atlantic Canada Destinations. The Experience Showcase Stage was a huge success with returning performances from Celtic Heart of North America, experiential demonstrations from Parks Canada, and Craft Artisans from Cape Breton Centre for Craft & Design. A new feature this year was the exceptional performance and participation by the Eskasoni Chief, LeRoy Denny and the Wagmatcook Indian Bay Drummers.
