Southern Delaware Tourism Awards nominations due Nov. 9
Tourism is a $1.7 billion industry in Sussex County. In fact, nearly 16 percent of all jobs in the county – about 17,000 of them - are tourism related. And tourism revenue saves each Delaware household nearly $1,400 in taxes each year. This is due, in large part, to Delaware’s fortunate geographical location and 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 that 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 s opening nominations for its 2018 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 2017 and October 2018. Nominations must be completed and submitted by Friday, Nov. 9, to be considered. 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, Southern Delaware Tourism executive director. “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.”
SDT encourages nominations of both newly and previously nominated entries that have not yet won an award.
There are four categories. Best Event criteria are visitation draw, uniqueness, out-of-area promotion and helping to spotlight Sussex County as a destination.
Criteria for Best New Event, for first-time events held in Sussex County, are visitation draw, uniqueness, out-of-area promotion and helping to spotlight Sussex County as a destination.
Best Attraction criteria are visitation draw, tourism economic impact to the community, group friendliness, and collaboration with accommodations.
Criteria for Tourism Partner of the Year, business or organization, are collaboration and participation with Southern Delaware Tourism and/or chambers of commerce in Sussex County.
Last year’s recipients included Best Event: Dogfish Dash; Best New Event: Winter WonderFest; Best Attraction: Lefty’s Alley & Eats; and Tourism Partner of the Year: Delaware Beach Book.
Past recipients of the annual award also include Return Day, First Annual BooBQue 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 nomination forms and instructions, go to www.VisitSouthernDelaware.com/tourism-award-nomination or call 302-856-1818.
