FORESTERS FALLS — A local business woman is a nominee for an Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence.
Claudia Van Wijk, owner of Owl Rafting near Foresters Falls and the Madawaska Kanu Centre near Barry’s Bay, is one of four nominees for the Tourism Champion of the Year. The award will be presented at the Ontario Tourism Summit at the Westin Prince Hotel in Toronto November 9 and 10.
The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence are a celebration of success and an opportunity to recognize those who have made significant contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry. These awards are jointly presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation, and the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance.
“Claudia’s been working quite hard in the travel industry,” said Natalie Grant, office manager for Owl Rafting.
She has been working hard to ensure people know about this part of Ontario, not only rafting, but all the other tourism in the area as well, Ms. Grant said.
Ms. Van Wijk has been working with Ontario Highland Tourism and the Ottawa Valley Tourism Association. She has been helping to put together partnerships with different tourism-related activities that are available in this section of Ontario, Ms. Grant added.
“She is promoting other businesses and partnerships,” she said, adding, “She’s been working on this for two to three years.
“She wants people to come here for more reasons than just rafting. She wants them to see what this area has to offer.”
Ms. Grant does not know who nominated Ms. Van Wijk, but believes it’s someone she has been working with to promote the partnerships.
Ms. Van Wijk and husband Dirk have been owners of Owl Rafting and MKC since taking it over from her parents in the mid-80s. MKC began in 1972 and Owl Rafting in 1981. Ms. Van Wijk is a world-renowned Canadian champion kayaker, a position she held for 10 years in a row as well as an announcer for the Olympics and Pan-Am Games.
To read Ms. Van Wijk’s story in her own words, please go to http://www.owl-mkc.ca/ww_resources.htm.
The other nominees in this award are Toronto chef Benjamin Leblanc-Beaudoin, owner of The Iron Kettle Bed and Breakfast; Kingston Town Crier Chris Whyman; and Kevin Eshkawkogan, Chief Executive Officer of the Great Spirit Circle Trail from Manitoulin Island.
Editor’s Note: Ms. Van Wijk was not available to talk with whitewaternews.ca as she is preparing for an out-of-country trip.
