Beachburg, Ontario - The Ontario’s Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) has been recognized for their outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry during the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala held at the Ontario Tourism Summit in Hamilton on Oct. 23, 2024.  The annual event, hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario brings together tourism businesses and organizations from across the province to network, learn and celebrate the achievements of this important sector of Ontario’s economy.  

OHTO was the recipient of two Tourism Awards of Excellence: the Sustainable Tourism Award and the Tourism Marketing Partnership Award. 

The Sustainable Tourism Award recognized the contributions OHTO has made to the practice and promotion of sustainable tourism in Ontario. Through their “Wander Sustainably” platform, OHTO has worked with the tourism industry to develop a responsible approach to tourism that ensures its communities experience the prosperity derived from visitation while also preserving the quality of life and character that makes the region so special.  

“Wander Sustainably is a strategic direction we have mapped out in partnership with our industry to ensure visitors and residents can continue to benefit from the activities of the tourism sector now and into the future,” said Executive Director, Nicole Whiting. “We share this award with them and recognize and appreciate their commitment to taking action towards becoming better environmental allies, strengthening relationships with Indigenous People, creating more inclusive spaces in the experiences we offer and ensuring alignment with the needs of our communities.”  

The Tourism Marketing Partnership Award recognizes excellence and innovation of those who contribute to Ontario’s tourism industry through impactful tourism partnerships, marketing activities, and media relations provincially, nationally, and internationally.  OHTO received this award on behalf of the OHTO Travel Trade Partnership for their work attracting international visitors to the area through the global travel trade network.  

“The travel trade network is an opportunity to have our tourism experiences promoted and sold by travel agents all over the world”, says Nicole. “We are extremely fortunate to have Holly Blefgen at the helm as our travel trade specialist and all the operators and county organizations that have dedicated their time, money and energy over the past ten years to this amazing partnership. Tapping into the international markets through travel trade is not easy but we know we have incredible experiences to offer, and the world is noticing.”  

Cutline:  

Nicole Whiting, Executive Director of OHTO (left), and Holly Blefgen, Travel Trade Specialist with the Ontario's Highlands Travel Trade Partnership, received the awards at the Ontario Tourism Summit on Oct. 23, 2024 in Hamilton, ON.

About OHTO

Ontario's Highlands Tourism Organization (OHTO) is a not-for-profit organization mandated and funded by the province of Ontario to support tourism within the counties of Haliburton, Lanark, and Renfrew and portions of Frontenac, Hastings, and Lennox and Addington. Find out more at www.ohto.ca.  

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Media Contact:

Luisa Sorrentino

Marketing Director

613-629-6486 x202

luisa.sorrentino@ohto.ca

 

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