Gearing Up for Awards Contest

Attractions Canada is launching a contest to spotlight the country's many attractions, and Nova Scotia wants to be in the winner's circle.

Representatives from the province's tourism industry were on hand today for a video conference in Halifax announcing the Attractions Canada Awards program, which is open to municipal, regional, provincial and national attractions.

"We've already formed a group to help co-ordinate the process for submissions," said Judith Cabrita, managing director of the Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia. "We recognize our own provincial winners every year and this is a chance to get recognition nationally and internationally."

Attractions Canada showcases the country's numerous points of interest to encourage Canadians to discover their country. To help build on this effort, Attractions Canada Awards will be presented in the following six categories: outdoor sites, indoor sites, cultural events, sports events, new attractions, and national or international attractions. The winners will be announced at the first Attractions Canada National Gala in Montreal next spring.

"Nova Scotia's attractions are significant economic generators," said David Oxner, executive director with Tourism Nova Scotia. "An event of this stature is an excellent opportunity to increase our visibility and ultimately attract more visitors to the province."

At the awards gala, 72 attractions will receive Attractions Canada recognition -- six winners from each province and territory. Each province and territory must provide a list of its own winners. From the 72, six will be presented with the Attractions Canada Grand Prizes.

The Tourism Industry Association of Nova Scotia, along with Tourism Nova Scotia, is now seeking input from other organizations and working to clarify selection criteria. The deadline for receipt of entry forms is Feb. 15, 1999.