Complete: It’s time again to honour the tourism movers and shakers in Westman over the past year.

Tourism Westman is celebrating the 10th anniversary of its Tribute to Tourism awards.

“The hard work and dedication put forth by certain individuals, businesses and organizations to go that extra mile in turning something good into something great has a significant impact on visitors returning to our region time and time again,” says regional tourism co-ordinator Michelle Frechette.

“Nominating someone for a Tribute award is a really great way to honour and recognize just that.”

Nominations are being accepted in the following categories: aspiring youth, marketing excellence, partnership, product development, service excellence, volunteer of the year and event of the year.

Nomination deadline is Friday, April 12.

Winners will be announced at the Tribute to Tourism Gala on June 5 at the Royal Oak Inn and Suites in Brandon.

Each nominee will receive one complimentary ticket to the gala where they will be honoured by their peers. As well, all winners will automatically advance to the Manitoba Tourism Award competition.

The gala evening will be MC’d by CJRB Radio’s Barry Lamb and will feature special entertainment by well-known Canadian comedian Debra DiGiovani.

Nomination forms and more information on the awards and gala can be found online at tourismwestman.ca. Scroll to the bottom of the web page and click on the Tribute to Tourism logo.

http://www.brandonsun.com/local/recognizing-those-who-help-boost-tourism-199331821.html

Complete: What a difference a year makes. Brian Guenther is the head Professional at the Steinbach Fly-In Golf Course. He says, at this time last year, they were getting ready to open the course.

"It was the earliest in our history. We were on the golf course March 30th."

Guenther says it will be a lot different in 2013. He notes their average opening date is the third week of April and thinks it's still possible they could hit that mark this year. Guenther believes that once the weather changes, it will warm up pretty quickly.

He adds this is the most snow there has been on the golf course in about ten years. He anticipates there could be a bit of spring flooding on the golf course but doesn't expect it will be too serious.

"After the project we did about seven to eight years ago, the flooding we see now is a 36 to 48 hour problem and then the water is back within the banks of the creek. The flooding shouldn't be that bad."

http://www.steinbachonline.com/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=35519&Itemid=100413

ATLANTIC CITY, N.J. - Not even Superstorm Sandy could wash away a historic tourist season last year in New Jersey.

Gov. Chris Christie said Wednesday that tourism hit a record level in 2012 and accounted for nearly $40 billion, up from $38 billion in 2011. The 2012 figure was the highest since the annual record-keeping began. Also, about 82.5 million visitors came to New Jersey last year, an increase of nearly 5 per cent over 2011 levels.

"That's even more amazing in light of the storm we had on Oct. 29," Christie said.

Fortunately for the state, the storm hit in the fall after the summer tourism season had ended. Many tourism-related businesses and shore communities said nice weather during the summer led to a good season through Labor Day weekend.

http://www.winnipegfreepress.com/business/null38778837.html

(Excerpts from an article published originally in the MFP, Mar.  '25)

The campaign for funds for the Winnipeg Tourist and Convention bureau is underway now and there is every hope, according to Mayor Webb that the $40,000 wanted will be raised without difficulty. The total amount raised at the dinner Wednesday night was S25.000 and in addition to that a further sum was promised that before being listed require official authorization by company officers before being included. The list of subscriptions follow: T. Eaton Co., Ltd., $2,000; Henry Birks & Sons, Ltd., $1,000: R.J. Speers, $1.000; E. F. Hutchings, $1,000; Alex Macdonald, $1,000; Canadian Pacific Railway  Co.,$1,000: Hudson's Bay Co., $1,000…          ….Manitoba Rolling Mill Co., $100; C. H. Enderton & Co., S100; Yale Shoe Store. $100; C. C. Phelan, $100; S. E. Buckler, $100; Cadillac Motor Sales Ltd., $100. All companies were: busy on organization and getting recruits.