Harper Government Congratulates 2014 Canadian Tourism Awards Winner of Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award

New award highlights the achievements of young entrepreneurs in the tourism industry

OTTAWA, Nov. 27, 2014 /CNW/ - Blake Richards, Member of Parliament for Wild Rose, on behalf of the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, congratulated Boris Issaev and Alex Berlyand, founders of Parkbus, as the winners of the Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award at the 2014 Canadian Tourism Awards. This new award is aimed at recognizing young entrepreneurs and their outstanding contributions to the tourism industry.

The Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award honours individuals under 32 years of age who demonstrate a passion for tourism; participate in the tourism field in a variety of possible activities; show ambition when it comes to promoting tourism in their region; and inspire other youth.

Parkbus is a non-profit initiative providing express bus service to national and provincial parks in Ontario, including service to Algonquin, Killarney, Grundy Lake provincial parks, as well as Bruce Peninsula and Georgian Bay Islands national parks. Parkbus connects with drop-offs at campgrounds, canoe access points, trailheads, lodges and outfitters.

Quick Facts

• The Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award recognizes outstanding contributions by young entrepreneurs to the tourism industry, including promoting Canada as a quality destination, ensuring an exceptional visitor experience, and fostering a professional tourism industry.
• The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations, and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.
• The Canadian Tourism Awards have become a standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in the travel industry, showcasing the nation's best tourism products, services, and experiences.
• Parks Canada is the largest provider of historic and natural heritage tourism in Canada, and manages a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas.

Quote

"I congratulate the winners of the Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award – and all recipients and nominees of the 2014 Canadian Tourism Awards. These awards celebrate the accomplishments and success of this industry and those who are working hard to enhance Canada's reputation as one of the world's premier tourism destinations."
Blake Richards
Member of Parliament for Wild Rose

Associated Links

2014 Canadian Tourism Awards: www.tiac.travel/cgi/page.cgi/awards.htm

Parks Canada: www.pc.gc.ca

SOURCE: Parks Canada

Media Relations, Parks Canada, 1-855-862-1812, www.twitter.com/parkscanada