The shining stars of P.E.I.’s tourism industry were honoured Wednesday night during the province’s 32nd annual tourism conference awards gala in Charlottetown.
One of the big winners of the night was Matthew Jelley, president and general manager of the Maritime Fun Group - P.E.I., which consists of the Burlington Amusement Park and Cavendish’s Shining Waters Family Fun Park and Sandspit Amusement Park.
Jelley has also been president of the Cavendish Beach and the Dune Shores Tourism Association since 2006.
He was presented with the Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for his “significant contribution to the development of tourism in Prince Edward Island.”
“It’s certainly a humbling experience to be recognized in that manner,” Jelley said.
“For the volunteer effort and the hours that are put in, it’s a pretty nice recognition.”
The evening saw the tourism industry celebrate the achievements of its members at the awards gala. Kerri Wynne MacLeod of Ocean 100 served as emcee for the evening where a total of 11 awards were handed out.
Honoured for their contributions to tourism for 2012 were:
- Barry Balsom, Arlington Orchards Hospitality Award for Prince County;
- Corrie MacDonald, Confederation Centre of the Arts Hospitality Award for Queens County;
- Karen Davey, Inn at St. Peters Hospitality Award for Kings County;
- North Cape Area Tourism Partnership Walt Wheeler Media Award;
- Vicki Francis & Martha Jacobson, Cranford Inn Operator of the Year;
- Three Rivers Roma Inc. Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award;
- Thom & Heather MacMillan, Cavendish Entertainment Dr. Kent Ellis Quality of Excellence Award;
- The Great George, Kevin & Kathy Murphy the Tourism Advisory Council Brand Essence Award.
TIAPEI President Elaine Thomson awarded the President’s Award to Robert Jourdain, Little York B & B and MLA Kathleen Casey presented the Premier’s Award to Chef Michael Smith.
A special recognition was celebrated for 31 certified emerit professionals who completed their certification process during 2012.
I've noticed that the plan b thing is mentioned in a lot of electronic media - most recently in the Harrisburg Magazine article that also promoted golf, etc. I do wonder if the project was well thought out on a number of levels. I may end up costing much more than the millions it's already costing Islanders?