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The Gold Country Communities Society won the Thompson Okanagan Tourist Association's New Product Award for its "Gold Country GeoTourism Program", one of three awards presented at the 1st Annual Tourism Summit held in Kelowna on November 12 and 13.

The GCCS GeoTourism Program is described as an innovative initiative that gives tourists a fun experience that combines the growing activity of geocaching with an educational and historical approach to local sights.

The dedicated Society’s staff members, Heidi Roy, Amy Thacker and Tanya Wong have coordinated the Program’s research of our area's pioneers and early settlers, historic churches, gravesites and mystical places, views and vistas, and geological wonders - then installed geocaches at a number of sites, published the locations in print and online, and invited the public to hike the area and find the geocaches.

The program - the first of its kind in BC - was launched this summer and has proven to be a great success, attracting many additional visitors to the area.

In presenting the award to Amy and Heidi, TOTA Chair Michael J. Ballingall noted "The Gold Country GeoTourism Program is a catalyst for growth in the TOTA region and has already shown to have increased tourism traffic, visitor counts and overnight stays."

"Most importantly, the program attracts visitors to rural areas and small communities that previously struggled to provide a reason for travellers to stop."

Ida Makaro, chair of Gold Country Communities Society, noted, on behalf of the GCCS Board of Directors, this is a major step up in recognition for Gold Country.  “The new GeoTourism Program has more than met our expectations, and our staff is presently making every effort to seek out funding for the second phase of the program, hopefully to be undertaken in 2010.” 

Makaro was at the Summit on behalf of the Village of Cache Creek and proudly watched as the staff went to the stage to accept the well deserved award,

GCCS board and staff members met recently with Hon. Kevin Krueger, Minister of Tourism, Culture and the Arts in Kamloops where the Minister also complimented the staff and Gold Country on the work that is being done in developing tourism as a sustainable industry throughout the region. 

For information on the Geotourism program visit www.goldtrail.com, for other Gold Country initiatives please visit www.exploregoldcountry.com, or contact the office during business hours.