The Attractions Canada Awards, a competition designed to recognize the unique character of Canada's many attractions, recognized the excellence of seven sites and events in Prince Edward Island for visitors to discover. Each prize winner was chosen from a selection of provincial sites and events, and a jury made up of influential figures with tourism backgrounds selected the attractions that they felt represented our province in each contest category and subcategory.
Greg Deighan, Minister of Tourism noted, "This is a great way to promote our attractions and events on a national scale." He added, "We have a lot to offer on Prince Edward Island in the way of great cultural experience, beautiful places and fun things to do and it's great to see our treasures being recognized. It is my hope that this type of credit and exposure stimulates people to visit PEI and see these great places for themselves."
The winning selections are entered to the national competition, "Attractions Canada Awards 2002." The event brings together representatives of tourist attractions from coast to coast to recognize their quality, and national finalists will be announced during a Gala Evening event in Edmonton, Alberta on May 30, 2002. This initiative also helps promote many attractions that are often quite unknown to Canadians.
Before prizes are awarded to the national winners in the categories involved, each province submits for consideration a list of its own finalists. On Prince Edward Island, we offered the following provincial finalists:
- Natural Outdoor Site - Greenwich Prince Edward Island National Park of Canada
- Developed Outdoor Site - Site of Lucy Maud Montgomery Cavendish Home
- Indoor Site - Founders' Hall Canada's Birthplace Pavilion
- Cultural Event - The College of Piping Celtic Festival
- Leisure and Amusement Centre, Recreational or Sporting Venture - Rainbow Valley
- Attraction of National or International Interest - The College of Piping and Celtic Performing Arts of Canada
- New Attraction - Founders' Hall Canada's Birthplace Pavilion
While the contest is relatively new, Attractions Canada has been in operation for a number of years. Its partners in this adventure of discovery are many and have long been associated with promoting Canada's "hidden treasures."
For more information on the contest as well as Attractions Canada general information, visit the website at www.attractionscanada.com.