For your Publisher, Wilderness Tours, 2016 was a good year and fingers are crossed for better next. We are being judged (a huge step) by the World Travel and Tourism Council for their prestigious Tourism for Tomorrow Community Award. The criteria is tourism as a force for good for local communities, enhancing education and economic benefits for everyone. Some Examples:
1. We answered the call to host the World Kayak Championships even though we knew it would result in a substantial financial loss but a huge gain for the region.
2. When Algonquin College in the Ottawa Valley was in danger of closing 15 years ago, we said yes to their partnership proposal and now the valley boasts an impressive waterfront campus and revitalized downtown Pembroke.
3. When the Cobden Sun closed, we picked up the baton and now boast almost 3,000 subscribers.
Winning the award will be nice but judging by the optimism in Whitewater Region, we have already won. The signs of growth and development abound and our future together is bright. If Whitewater Region was a rocket, we are in launch mode. We hope to communicate that to you, our valued subscribers, in a revamping of Whitewater News. On behalf of our tireless editor, Connie, and myself, we wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.
Joe
