Pembroke, ON – The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) is pleased to announce the winners of the 2022 Ottawa Valley Tourism Awards:
Marilyn Alexander Tourism Champion of the Year: Cindy Jamieson, owner/operator of The Whitewater Inn and Valley Cycle Tours
Business of Distinction: Braiding Rivers
Special Event of the Year: Tour de Bonnechere
The Marilyn Alexander Tourism Champion Award recognizes an OVTA member who is an active tourism champion for the Ottawa Valley. This year’s recipient, Cindy Jamieson is the owner and operator of The Whitewater Inn and Valley Cycle Tours located in Beachburg. She is an energetic volunteer in tourism and cycling initiatives and demonstrates passion about the economic benefits of the industry within the Ottawa Valley.
“As a seasoned business person, Cindy understands that tourism has enormous economic potential for Renfrew County,” says her nominator, Cathy Regier, Reeve of the Township of Whitewater Region. “She loves to promote the Ottawa Valley to visitors in hopes that the Ottawa Valley will be recognized as a great outdoor adventure destination worldwide.”
The Business of Distinction Award recognizes an OVTA member business or organization that demonstrates leadership, innovation and dedication to the local tourism industry. Braiding Rivers, co-founded in 2020 by Ashley Strange, Keira Loukes and Rachel Worth-Cappell, is a nature-based guiding company for women looking to connect with the rivers of Algonquin Territory. They bring their depth of knowledge in health, the outdoors, nature-therapy, community building and land-based values into the way they run their business.
Stefani Van Wijk, of Madawaska Kanu Centre nominated Braiding Rivers and says, “Braiding Rivers is a blossoming new company that is rooted in its values. They follow collaborate to compete values by supporting other organizations, partnering with other companies and supporting local first.”
The Special Event of the Year Award recognizes an event or festival that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, and is an example of excellence for other events and festivals. The winner of this year’s award, the Tour de Bonnechere, is an annual cycling event organized by a group of creative and determined volunteers.
In 2021, organizers rose to the challenges presented by the pandemic by adding a virtual option as an alternative form of participation. The tour utilized four cycling routes centered out of Eganville drew new visitors to the area, as well as much needed spending to local businesses. The event also raised over $5,000 to support local mental health initiatives.
“Introducing the virtual option of participation allowed for people to still feel connected to the community and offered continuity for regular participants when in person interactions were limited. The event encouraged participants to share their experience through social media, something that was not done pre-pandemic”, notes nominator and organizing team member Bonnie McIntyre of the Phoenix Centre for Children and Families reports.
As another successful Tourism Awards season ends, the OVTA would like to thank all nominators for taking the time and consideration to recognize the talents and drive of those in the tourism industry. The importance of this type of recognition is especially critical during the pandemic as a means of community building, recognizing the value and importance of collaboration, as well as the significant impact tourism has on the Ottawa Valley economy.
The OVTA is the destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and proudly represents more than 250 tourism businesses, comprised of attractions and outfitters, accommodation, food, beverage and retail establishments, artists and galleries, municipalities and community organizations, as well as media and industry suppliers. The OVTA is supported by the County of Renfrew, Renfrew County municipalities and the City of Pembroke.
