Castanet: Predator to hosts World Travel Awards

The World Travel Awards will be hosted in Canada for the first time in its 27-year history .

And Predator Ridge has been selected as the first of three Canadian venues.

The Thompson Okanagan won a three-year bid to host the World Travel Awards in the region and in 2020 Predator will welcome more than 300 international delegates at the North American Gala Ceremony in October, as part of the World Travel Awards Grand Tour.

The event will place the Thompson Okanagan Region and its communities firmly on the world stage as delegates from global airlines, tour operators, travel agents, international media and hospitality professionals come to the region for the award ceremony.

After a joint application was put forward by the Thompson Okanagan Tourism Association (TOTA), Predator Ridge Resort and the City of Vernon earlier this year, the World Travel Awards announced the successful three-year bid at the European Gala Ceremony in Madeira, Portugal. Previous host cities include New York, Montego Bay, Orlando, as well as Turks & Caicos, the Bahamas and Antigua.

Glenn Mandziuk TOTA president and CEO, recognizes the impact an opportunity like this affords the region as a whole.

“We are so honoured to welcome such a prestigious event to the Thompson Okanagan and look forward to hosting international tourism industry leaders in Vernon,” said Mandziuk.

Graham Cooke, founder of the World Travel Awards, said it is an honour to come to the North Okanagan.

“Thompson Okanagan is blessed with overwhelming beauty that ranges from towering waterfalls and soaring mountains to verdant valleys and glacial lakes. I look forward to welcoming the most senior decision-makers of North America’s travel industry for what promises to be a most memorable ceremony in this phenomenal region,” said Cooke.

Predator Ridge, home to a thriving year-round community and two award-winning golf courses, is proud to have attracted such a high-profile event.

“We are thrilled to be host to this international gala and very pleased to be once again partnering with TOTA and the City of Vernon. All of us who live here realize how special this region is and know that we have iconic tourism assets and it will be great to host the WTA awards that recognize leadership in the category,” said Brad Pelletier, senior vice-president of Wesbild Okanagan, owners of Predator Ridge Resort.