(Kalyna Country) Rural East Central Alberta is definitely making an impression with Travel Alberta, at the same time that it is garnering the attention of holiday travellers and winning the respect of key players within the provincial tourism industry.

Five of thirteen Alberta nominees for this year’s Attractions Canada Awards are sites or events in Kalyna Country. Elk Island National Park, the Ukrainian Cultural Heritage Village, the Vegreville Ukrainian Pysanka Folk Festival, and Lamont County’s “Church Capital of North America” campaign (selected in two categories) were among the tourism attractions chosen to represent Alberta in the 2002 cross-Canada program. Considering that Calgary, Edmonton, and Rocky Mountain stakeholders also took part in the competition, the strong showing by East Central Alberta marked a significant breakthrough in industry awareness of the unique tourism products offered within Kalyna Country.

“It’s just one more sign that our promotional efforts are starting to get greater recognition,” observed Jacqueline Vaughan, President of the Kalyna Country Destination Marketing Organ-ization and the owner of Kalyna Country Cottages, a bed and breakfast located south of Vilna. “We strongly encouraged eligible operators to apply for the competition, and are naturally thrilled that so many active members of our DMO won provincial awards. Of course, it would be terrific if any of them were chosen to be featured in the Attractions Canada promotions, but even to be nominated is a great achievement.”

The winners of the 2002 National Awards will be announced at a gala banquet which will be held in Edmonton on May 30.

For more information visit www.kalynacountry.ab.ca