The annual Oxford Tourism Awards of Excellence recognize Oxford’s exceptional tourism businesses, organizations and individuals

The winners of the Oxford Tourism Awards of Excellence were presented June 13, recognizing Oxford’s exceptional tourism businesses, organizations and individuals.

The 2023 Oxford Tourism Awards of Excellence winners are:

• Tourism Partnership Award: Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life and Beachville District Museum. Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life transformed its business into a leading tourism destination back in 2021. The success the farm experienced supported the expansion of the farm market shop with 73 curated producers and a goal to support over 100 producers this season. By becoming a tourist destination with over 1,000 guests coming through for Alpaca picnics, Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life generated a boost in product sales. The picnics have brought people back to the area with other family and friends and provided spin-off visits to other local businesses.

The Beachville District Museum organized a series of classic car shows last year that brought over 1,000 visitors to the grounds. These events brought drivers from all over with live music on the porch, door prizes and a barbecue lunch. During the months of May to August, the Museum was promoted as one of three destinations included in the Southwestern Ontario Baseball Pass, hosting a barbecue and movie night at the end of summer in support of these efforts. The success of these events can be credited to partnerships, including those with JP Classic Car Tours, the Beachville Legion, Heavenly Sweets, Tourism London, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame, Beachville Historical Society, and the Engage & Inform Committee of Southwest Oxford Township.

• Best New Tourism Product Award: Terra Nova Nordic Spa & Café. Originally starting out as a wellness centre and café in 2020, Terra Nova Nordic Spa & Café transformed its business into a premier tourism destination this past year. With the grand opening of a new experience in December of last year, they hired an additional five staff members and were hitting capacity targets quite quickly. The Nordic Spa offers a place to get away, to “relax and be well” with no judgement: An outdoor experience where the relaxation adventure begins in the hot pool, saunas, eucalyptus steam room, a quick cold plunge to cool the body down to focus the mind and relax in a heated geo-dome or around the fire. Being one of a handful of Nordic spas in Ontario, Terra Nova Nordic Spa and Café adds a key driver for visitation to the County for relaxation and health benefits.

• Special Event of the Year Award: Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life. The award recipient has been hard at work making Oxford County a tourism destination through partnerships, collaborations, and unique farm experiences over the last three years. Last year the farm invited women and allies to get down and dirty for a good cause and trash an unwanted wedding or special occasion gown. The event raised awareness and funds for women who have experienced domestic abuse through a post secondary education scholarship fund. Targeted marketing went into setting the stage for a safe and inclusive event and the event used compostable items including ketchup and mustard instead of paints to protect both the land and animals. The traffic to the website, public relations campaign, and attendees from London to Toronto showed a strong attraction to visitors to Oxford County that prompted repeat visits.

The award ceremony event was a true celebration of tourism in Oxford County, featuring guest speaker Christopher Bloore, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO). Christopher brought a strong message to attendees, drawing attention to the impact of the visitor economy and noting that, in Ontario, the tourism industry exceeds the automotive, mining and forestry industries.

The 2023 Oxford Tourism Award program recognizes the region’s tourism businesses, organizations, and individuals who have displayed excellence in product development, partnerships and collaborations, innovation, inclusiveness, leadership, sustainability, and attraction to the region. The program also recognizes partners who are working collaboratively with Tourism Oxford to grow regional tourism and offer exceptional visitor experiences.

Winners were chosen by a panel of external judges with representatives from Ontario’s Southwest, Tourism Industry Association of Ontario, and the Municipality of Chatham-Kent.

For more information about categories and award winners, visit www.oxfordcounty.ca/Business-in-Oxford/Tourism/Tourism-Awards.

Comment

Meredith Maywood, Tourism Specialist, Oxford County

“With the Oxford Tourism Award program in its second year, we’ve had the privilege of reviewing some incredible submissions. Each year, we see local businesses and organizations looking for ways to elevate their service offerings. I’m pleased to have the Tourism Awards to recognize their effort and amplify their success.”

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PHOTO: 2022 Tourism Award Winners