Canada celebrates a $67-billion industry and tells Canadians and their governments that tourism matters to our country's economic and social well-being. Coordinated by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) around the theme "Tourism, Canada's Passport to Prosperity,- Tourism Week provides a focal point for activities and events planned across the country by businesses, provincial, territorial and regional tourism industry associations, destination marketing organizations and others.

One of the challenges for Canadians is to decide where to go as Canada's tourism products and services are among the best in the world. A starting point might be visiting one of the operations run by the committed individuals like the individuals being inducted, in conjunction with Tourism Week into the 2007 Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame. TIAC is proud to announce. Stan Cook Sr., Stan Crowley, and Nancy Stibbard into the Hall of Fame.

Stan Cook Sr., Founder, Wild Newfoundland Adventures (http://www.wildnfld.ca/thestaff.asp) (Cape Broyle, Newfoundland)

When Stan Cook Sr. began offering adventure tours in 1970, he did more than start a family-owned business. By bringing together adventure and education, he helped lay the groundwork for a sustainable tourism sector in Newfoundland and Labrador. His commitment to the province's unique environment and heritage has led to several initiatives, including helping to create the guidelines and code of ethics for adventure travel and engaging NL's youth in environmental concepts like Leave No Trace.

Stan Crowley, Rafter Six Ranch http://www.raftersix.com/ (Exshaw, Alberta)

Since purchasing the Rafter Six Ranch on the Kananaskis River between Calgary and Banff, Alberta, Stan Cowley has been a leader and innovator in Alberta's tourism industry. From starting the first commercial white water rafting on the Kananaskis and arranging the first Cattle Penning program in Canada to opening several museums and forming the Buffalo Nations Cultural Society, Mr. Cowley is guided by his strong interest in history and commitment to maintain the knowledge and culture of the First Nations.

Publisher's Note: I had the pleasure of meeting Stan while on a conference at Rafter Six Ranch. He is one of the most dedicated and passionate promoters of Canadian culture I have ever met.


Nancy Stibbard Owner, Capilano Suspension Bridge http://www.capbridge.com/
(Capilano, British Columbia)

"Capilanitude" is predicated on Nancy Stibbard's passion to deliver a first-class experience. Under Ms. Stibbard's leadership, Capilano Suspension Bridge in British Columbia has grown from six employees serving 175,000 guests in 1983 to 200 employees serving over 700,000 guests today. She is a strong advocate for tourism and believes that a guest's experience is only as good as the employee delivering it. Her commitment to employee training is an investment that pays off. Many seasonal student employees return year after year and continue a career with Capilano after graduation.

Ron Taylor, Publisher of the Canada Travel News http://janroncommunications.com/ says, 'Tourism demand is often generated by the events and activities taking place across Canada. Canada Travel News tries to balance the demand generators driving tourism traffic with a balance of events and festivals in various communities across Canada-. Taylor adds, 'filling accommodation bedrooms, and building attraction visits, helps generate additional dollars and jobs for local communities.-

Taylor ads, 'I encourage all Canadians and visitor to get out and explore Canada during Tourism Week-. A list of websites promoting Canada Tourism Week follows,

City of Guelph http://guelph.ca/newsroom_display.cfm?itemID=72137

Kamloops British Columbia http://www.tourismkamloops.com/home_showSection_ID_434.html

Ontario Travel North of Toronto www.400eleven.com

Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island http://www.tiapei.pe.ca/

Tourism Week in Canada Photo Contest http://www.go2hr.ca/Default.aspx?tabid=1187

Tourism Industry Association of New Brunswick http://www.tianb.com/news.php?id=102

Canadians should check with their local tourism information centres to see what they are doing in the local communities during National Tourism Week. Canadians traveling overnight can book hotel accommodation across Canada on-line at Canada Travel News http://janroncommunications.com/

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