Switzerland Tourism has revealed the three winners of the 2017 Gold Flower Award for North American tour operators: Alpine Adventures, Europe Express, and Kensington Tours.
The award, which is given out every two years at the Switzerland Travel Mart (STM), rewards companies for their innovation, professionalism, and outstanding cooperation in connection with the operators’ Switzerland travel products.
Alex Herrmann, Director North America of Switzerland Tourism, praised the strides made by North American operators to increase business in Switzerland.
“We’ve seen impressive growth in the overnight numbers of American and Canadian travelers in Switzerland over the last years, and especially this year, with 11 percent plus from the U.S. and 7 percent from Canada through July compared to 2016. This is thanks to continuous innovation and commitment of our tour operator partners in North America, and we want to reward some of the best with this year’s Gold Flower Award,” he said.
The first Gold Flower Award went to Alpine Adventures for launching new winter destinations in Arosa, Lenzerheide and Andermatt, for integrating a summer hiking itinerary, and for increasing their business in Switzerland.
Next was Europe Express, who won for adding new Swiss destinations and activities to their travel offers over the past two years.
Kensington Tours received the third award for being an essential and innovative partner for Switzerland Tourism in Canada. Kensington Tours offers a number of itineraries for Switzerland that include river cruising, adventure travel, and tours of some of Switzerland’s most notable properties.
New Market Manager
Switzerland Tourism also announced that Pascal Prinz will be the new Market Manager Canada for the company, effective November 1. Prinz, a marketing specialist with international experience in travel and public affairs, will succeed Evelyn Lafone, who is now District Manager Southern Germany.
Prinz will be in charge of the marketing and promotion of Switzerland in Canada as a travel, vacation, and convention destination. He will also be in charge of travel trade relations in the Midwest and Texas. Previously, Prinz worked at Switzerland Tourism in New York as Trade Manager East Coast.
For more information on Switzerland Tourism, visit https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-us/home.html.
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