Provincial tourism gala comes to Sherbrooke

February 13, 2012

The 39 finalists for the 27th annual Desjardins Grand Prizes of Tourism of the Eastern Townships were announced at a press conference Monday, during which it was also revealed that the prize ceremony, to be held on Mar. 15, would be only one of two events showcasing the region’s attractions this spring. For the first time since it was created, the provincial tourism prize gala will also be taking place in Sherbrooke.
“The National Grand Prizes of Tourism will come to Sherbrooke for the first time in its 27-year existence, at the Centre de foires of Sherbrooke,” announced Alain Larouche, director general of Tourism Eastern Townships.
The national gala will bring hundreds of representatives from the Quebec tourism industry, each winners of tourism prizes in their region, to Sherbrooke on May 28.
Among them will be 16 representatives from the Townships, winners of regional prizes in categories, including a newly added category called “flavour creators,” to celebrate local cooking. An independent panel of judges with expertise in tourism will decide the winners of each category.
Joanne Lalumière, president of Tourism Eastern Townships and director general of the Granby Zoo, expressed her belief Monday that the prizes are important for the individual finalists, but additionally for tourism in the region as a whole.
“It’s important for those involved, for us, for all the players in the industry, the businesses and the people who file their candidacies. Firstly it’s stimulates our accomplishments, it brings us to surpass ourselves, [...] it creates as well within our organizations a culture of continuous improvement,” she said. “I think you can also not neglect the importance of the prizes on the region itself because when we excel in our products and our tourism offerings, the region can only benefit as a destination. In fact, this is what helps to attract our clients, our partners and tourists who come from other regions.”
This year, the 39 finalists for the first time submitted their candidacies themselves, with a file that highlighted their innovations over the last three years.

The story Tuesday in The Record