Outdoor recreation wins big in 2020 Maine Tourism Awards
Photo / Jerry Monkman, EcoPhotography
Thalo Blue Destination Marketing, EcoPhotography and Aroostook County Tourism are the joint recipients of the Marketing and Promotion Award for their summer-focused “Upta Camp” edition of Aroostook County’s annual brochure, which includes the image shown.
Amid strong momentum for outdoor recreation during the pandemic, outdoor-focused tourism initiatives are the stars of the 2020 Maine Tourism Awards, announced Thursday by the Maine Office of Tourism. The seven winners will be celebrated in 2021.
"As it happens, each of the awards represents an outdoor experience that can be safely enjoyed during 2020, in locations that many Maine residents may not yet have had a chance to explore," said Steve Lyons, director of the Maine Office of Tourism, in a news release.
He noted that while the awards are normally presented at the annual Governor’s Conference on Tourism, which would have been held last April but were put off until next year. Meanwhile, the organization wanted to recognize the 2020 honorees now.
"As the phased reopening of Maine’s tourism industry progresses," Lyons said, "we wanted to share the stories of this year’s awardees as a reminder of all that Maine offers to both residents and visitors."
And the winners are ...
- Hardy Boat Cruises, a small, eco-tourism business offering "Puffin Watch" and other nature tours as well as a ferry service from New Harbor to Monhegan Island, is the recipient of the Governor’s Award for Tourism Excellence.
- Thalo Blue Destination Marketing, EcoPhotography and Aroostook County Tourism are the joint recipients of the Marketing and Promotion Award for the summer-focused “Upta Camp” edition of Aroostook County’s annual brochure.
- Caribou Parks and Recreation Department receives the Leadership and Growth Award for its support of Maine’s snowmobile industry through the Official Aroostook County Trail Report, which collects and posts weekly updates on trail conditions.
- Nervous Nellie’s Jams & Jellies and Opera House Arts in Stonington are recipients of the Innovation and Creativity Award for the production and outdoor staging of the play “Avalon” at Nervous Nellie’s outdoor sculpture garden in Deer Isle last summer.
Commissioner Heather Johnson of the Maine Department of Economic and Community Development also offered praise for this year's honorees and their important contribution to the state's tourism industry.
"They are members of an industry that as a whole has put hard work and creativity into adapting their practices to safely welcome visitors," she said.
Videos celebrating each of the award winners can be viewed online, and the awards will be formally presented a next year's state tourism conference.
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