TORONTO, Nov. 14, 2014 /CNW/ - The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is happy to present the Tourism Industry Award of Excellence for Volunteer of the Year to Narine Dat Sookram. This award celebrates individuals that have volunteered a significant amount of time within the tourism community, and have contributed to the enhanced professionalism and image of Ontario's tourism industry as a whole.
Volunteering is Sookram's passion. An active volunteer for over 20 years in many different spheres, Sookram initiated the CARIBBEAN DREAMS performing arts event in the Waterloo region in 2002, which has grown to become a recognizable feature in the area. In June 2013 Sookram took on the production of CARIBBEAN DREAMS once again, and his skill and passion as a volunteer reflected on the event's success.
Sookram has been decorated as a superb volunteer before, which only added to his eligibility for the Tourism Industry Award of Excellence for Volunteer of the Year. In the past, Sookram has received the Governor General Caring Canadian Award for Volunteerism; the June Callwood Outstanding Achievement Award for Volunteerism from Ontario's Ministry of Citizenship and Immigration; the Volunteer Impact Helping Hands Award from the Volunteer Action Centre in Kitchener; and an RBC Top 25 Canadian Immigrants Award, to name a few.
Notorious for taking time out of his own business schedule to promote projects he cares about, Sookram's commitment to visitor satisfaction is staggering. TIAO is pleased to add yet another achievement to his long list of volunteering accomplishments.
The Tourism Industry Association of Ontario is recognized as the umbrella organization for leading associations, destination marketing organizations and regional tourism organizations serving Ontario's diverse tourism industry. Collectively representing 149,000 businesses and 305,000 employees dedicated to promoting and operating the province's powerful tourism infrastructure, TIAO provides a strong, unified voice for the sector and advocates the importance of tourism to all levels of government in order to help the industry grow and prosper. The Tourism Industry Awards of Excellence recognize leaders in innovation, events, volunteering, sustainability and accessibility within Ontario's vibrant tourism industry.
Quotes
"Volunteer work represents a major component of what makes a successful tourist experience. On behalf of Ontario's tourism industry, TIAO would like to thank Narine for all the brilliant volunteering he has done over the years."
Beth Potter, President & CEO, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
Image with caption: "Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (CNW Group/Tourism Industry Association of Ontario)". Image available at: http://photos.newswire.ca/images/download/20141114_C5485_PHOTO_EN_8044.jpg
SOURCE: Tourism Industry Association of Ontario
Catarina Xhuli, Manager, Executive Office, Membership & Industry Relations, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, 416.305.8249, [email protected]
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