Southern Delaware Tourism Awards nominations due Nov. 8
Tourism in Sussex County is a growing industry generating more than $2 billion yearly.
In fact, more than 16 percent of all jobs in the county – about 18,000 of them – are tourism related. Tourism revenue saves each Delaware household nearly $1,500 in taxes each year. This is partly due to the county’s fortunate geographical location and its beautiful 5 Star beaches. However, it’s also the result of a lot of initiative, creativity, planning and hard work by many people and organizations who strive to keep up with changing travel trends, and create and provide the types of attractions, events, activities and services that bring visitors to Sussex County.
In recognition and appreciation of this, Southern Delaware Tourism is opening nominations for its 2019 awards.
Area residents and businesses are asked to nominate groups or individuals who have made significant contributions to the tourism industry in Sussex County between October 2018 and October 2019. To be considered, nominations must be completed and submitted by Friday, Nov. 8. The winners, selected by an impartial panel of judges, will be announced in December.
“Tourism is a huge economic engine for Sussex County,” said Scott Thomas, executive director of Southern Delaware Tourism. “This is our way of honoring those that have gone above and beyond to contribute to the tourism industry in our area. We encourage everyone to consider who they think may be worthy recipients of these awards, and to nominate them.”
Entries may include new contenders and previous nominees who have not yet won an SDT award.
The categories and criteria are: Best Event: Visitation draw, uniqueness, out-of-area promotion, helping to spotlight Sussex County as a destination. Best New Event, for first-time events held in Sussex County: Visitation draw, uniqueness, out-of-area promotion, helping to spotlight Sussex County as a destination. Best Attraction: Visitation draw, tourism economic impact to the community, group friendliness, collaboration with accommodations. Tourism Partner of the Year, Business or Organization: Collaboration and participation with Southern Delaware Tourism and/or chambers of commerce in Sussex County.
Last year’s recipients of the annual awards included Best Event: Mid Atlantic Sea Glass & Coastal Arts Festival; Best New Event: Fire & Ice Festival and Ladybug Music Festival (tie); Best Attraction: Freeman Stage; Tourism Partner of the Year: Delaware State Parks.
Past recipients of the annual award also include Dogfish Dash, Winter Wonderfest, Lefty’s Alley & Eats, Delaware Beach Book, Return Day, Boo-B-Que by the Sea, Cape Henlopen State Park’s Gordons Pond Trail and Junction & Breakwater Trail, Western Sussex Tourism Committee, The Freeman Stage at Bayside, Nassau Valley Vineyards, the Apple Scrapple Festival, Dogfish Head Brewery Tours, the Rehoboth Beach Independent Film Festival, the Lewes Maritime History Trail, the Ocean to Bay Bike Tour, Eating Rehoboth Walking Food Tours, and the Sea Witch Halloween and Fiddlers Festival.
For more information, nomination forms and instructions, go to www.VisitSouthernDelaware.com/tourism-award-nomination or call 302-856-1818.
