[ad_1]Tourism Industry Association of Ontario president and CEO Andrew Siegwart presents the organization's Attraction of the Year award to The Canadian Canoe Museum's marketing and communications manager Jaimie Eastabrook during the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala on October 22, 2026. (Photo courtesy of The Canadian Canoe Museum)The Canadian Canoe Museum in Peterborough has been recognized as Attraction of the Year at the 2026 Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence. This award was given on Thursday night (October 22) at the Westin Ottawa during the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence Gala, which wrapped up the annual two-day Ontario Tourism Summit hosted by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario. The association represents tourism businesses and organizations throughout the province and gives out these annual awards to honor contributions from businesses, events, experiences, and leaders that help make Ontario a preferred destination. Advertisement - content continues below The Canadian Canoe Museum was chosen as Attraction of the Year from three finalists, which also included Niagara Parks and Rivershrike Inc., known for operating the Waterfront River Pub and Terrace, along with Napanee River Tours. “This honour puts a provincial spotlight on the experience we have built together on the shores of Little Lake, where visitors explore the world’s largest collection of paddled watercraft, learn from builders sharing their skills and knowledge, and make their own memories on the water,” said the museum in a social media post after winning. The museum expressed gratitude towards its staff, volunteers, Indigenous partners, members, supporters, and visitors for playing a part in this success. “There are so many people behind this achievement, and we are thrilled to share it with you,” they stated. “And to our visitors, whether you have joined us once or return again and again, thank you for making us part of your adventures.” Advertisement - content continues below This recognition follows a strong first full calendar year for The Canadian Canoe Museum at its new lakeside location that opened to visitors in May 2024.<p According to reports from the museum, they welcomed 116,493 visitors in 2025 - far exceeding their original estimate of about 87,000 annual visitors - with over 62 percent coming from outside Peterborough city and county. The museum estimates that visitor spending generated $10.55 million directly in 2025 alone and contributed $6.95 million to regional gross domestic product. Advertisement - content continues below The Canadian Canoe Museum was among four finalists representing the greater Kawarthas region across four categories this year at the Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence. Brighton Applefest by Municipality of Brighton in Northumberland County was nominated for Tourism Event of the Year but lost out to Brockville Tourism's Tall Ships Festival. Kawarthas Northumberland’s Trent-Severn Trail Towns initiative competed for Tourism Marketing Campaign Award (for campaigns costing less than $50,000) but was surpassed by Bay of Quinte Regional Marketing Board's Get FREE Gas & Spending Spree campaign. Elmhirst’s Resort on Rice Lake in Peterborough County vied for Sustainable Tourism Award but ultimately Evergreen Brick Works in Toronto took home that prize.[ad_2]Source link
