Martin Flynn, from MarbleZip Tours was named this year’s recipient of the fifth-annual Tourism Atlantic Technology Award. Mr. Flynn was recognized for his creative incorporation of technology to better promote his business.
The award was presented this past weekend at the Pepsi Centre in Corner Brook as part of 2009 Lookout! Tourism Summit, the annual convention and tradeshow for Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.
"The Government of Canada, through the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA) is pleased to be part of a project that recognizes the success of tourism operators working to achieve best practices in technology,"said the Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister Responsible for the Atlantic Gateway. "When a tourism operator devotes their efforts to improving the promotion of their business, they in-turn promote the whole province."
A Zip Tour allows participants to wear a harness attached to a steel cable strung between platforms on trees or towers, to zip along the platforms at heights that offer panoramic views of the landscape below.
With a background in adventure tourism, Mr. Flynn saw an opportunity to create a Zip Tour experience in Newfoundland and Labrador. Upon completion of the necessary construction and infrastructure MarbleZip Tours opened for business in August 2008.
To market MarbleZip Tours to a broad audience, the website development is a major focus of the business. The site is easy to access and search, with easy to navigate pages and colourful images. . Taking advantage of new social media opportunities, the website has incorporated a Facebook page and You Tube links to complement their advertising capabilities.
Proposed Client quote ... "We put a lot of effort into our website redevelopment because we want the MarbleZip Tour experience to begin at first click," said Martin Flynn. "We are as passionate about our website as we are about our business, so this recognition is very much appreciated."
In 2004, ACOA created this annual award to acknowledge one tourism operator in each Atlantic province for his or her innovative and creative use of technology to improve and grow their tourism operation.
The award’s criteria specifies that recipients must be members of their respective provincial tourism industry associations; have incorporated technology initiatives that enhance their business practices; have successfully demonstrated the basic principle recognized by the award; and are willing to participate in promoting their achievements to other operators in Atlantic Canada.
The Government of Canada, through ACOA, continues to support a pan-Atlantic approach that strengthens the tourism sector in Atlantic Canada through sound research and innovative product development and marketing.
FOR BROADCAST USE:
The fifth-annual Tourism Atlantic Technology Award, from the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, was presented this weekend to Martin Flynn, from MarbleZip Tours. Zip Tours involve participants wearing a harness attached to a steel cable strung between platforms on trees or towers. These thrill-seekers zip along the platforms at heights that offer picturesque views of the landscape. Mr. Flynn was recognized for his innovative and creative use of technology to improve and complement their tourism operation. The award was presented Saturday night at the Pepsi Centre during 2009 Lookout!, the annual convention and tradeshow for Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador.
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INFORMATION:
Jana Parker
ACOA PEI & Tourism
902-368-0264
Lynn Taylor
Policy Manager
Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador
709-722-2224 Ext. 22
Martin Flynn
MarbleZip Tours
709 632-5463
