Gail Scott, the manager director of Destination Osoyoos, was proud to pick up the Professional Excellence Award at the 2015 BC Tourism Industry Awards in Vancouver last week. (Photo supplied)
Destination Osoyoos has been awarded the BC Destination Marketing Organization Association (DMOA) Professional Excellence Award at the 2015 BC Tourism Industry Awards, presented by Destination BC and the Tourism Industry Association of BC.
The Awards Gala took place October 20 at the Vancouver Convention Centre.
The BC DMOA Professional Excellence Award recognizes a community Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for their commitment, outstanding marketing performance, accountability to, and collaboration with the tourism industry in British Columbia.
The DMO is a proven leader, is an example of professionalism and best practices and has provided measurable value to the local and provincial tourism industry.
“It is an incredible achievement to be selected as the best, from the high calibre of nominations we received this year,” said Marsha Walden, CEO, Destination BC. “These award winners have truly set a standard of excellence in their commitment to British Columbia’s tourism industry. It is important to celebrate the amazing talent we have in this province, to honour those that go above and beyond to create truly remarkable experiences for our guests. I am delighted to offer congratulations to all the winners on behalf of myself, the Board and staff of Destination BC.”
Destination Osoyoos’ 2014-2015 marketing initiatives included:
- The Snowbird Attraction Program, which aimed to attract, retain and increase the numbers, year over year, of ‘Canadian Snowbirds’ to Osoyoos between October and April.
- The design and development of a local hospitality training program, where Destination Osoyoos collaborated with the Okanagan College to develop a local hospitality training program to address labour market and work force staffing issues within the resort municipality. The pilot project will be launched in spring 2016.
- A Chinese tourism marketing campaign which included the creation of a Chinese language website, materials, brochures and a new Chinese visitor guide to Osoyoos.
- The Discover Osoyoos Visitor Centre, (located in the lobby of Destination Osoyoos’ Main Street offices). Established in July 2014 to facilitate Osoyoos-specific information requests, the Discover Osoyoos Centre has become the town’s information exchange depot for visitors, snowbirds and relocation inquiries.
“We have worked hard to harness tourism opportunities within our resort community and we are extremely proud of the results,” said Gail Scott, managing director at Destination Osoyoos. “We are honoured to accept this award and look forward to creating more exciting tourism opportunities for Osoyoos in 2016.”
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