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Pennsylvania Wilds initiative wins national tourism award
Pennsylvania’s efforts to build partnerships and work toward a brighter economic future for its north central woodlands got a big endorsement recently when the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW) bestowed one of its four “Phoenix Awards” to the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative. The presentation was made at the group’s annual conference in Manchester, England.
This comes on the heels of a successful conference last month where Governor Edward G. Rendell also touted the program’s successes—and was encouraged by the future. “This conference is the first, large-scale gathering of elected officials, planners, downtown managers, business owners, recreation providers and conservation organizations to celebrate successes and look to the future of the initiative,” said Governor Rendell. “We want to continue to explore how to make the Pennsylvania Wilds a top destination and to take advantage of the effort as an economic development tool, while always remaining sensitive to protecting the region’s rich and diverse natural assets.” The Society of American Travel Writers took notice of the Pennsylvania Wild’s successes—and was impressed. While Pennsylvania officials have yet to receive details of the award, the Philadelphia Inquirer reported that in recognizing the initiative, the society’s awards chair, Peggy Bendel, was quoted as saying the project “involves unprecedented cooperation between several state agencies, as well as a unique partnership between state and local partners. No other initiative exists in the country on this scale and level of strategic thinking. “The little hotels and restaurants, shops and diversions in this vast area are still locally owned, and this remains a rural region free of urban sprawl—a place of forests and friendly, small-town people, giving it a sense of place in the very best sense,” Bendel said. The Inquirer also reported that Bendel said a plaque, to be presented to officials later this year, was all the more meaningful because many state and local agencies were able to develop the area as a tourism attraction in only four years. The society was holding its 52nd annual conference in the British city. With more than 1,200 travel writers, photographers, broadcasters and associate members, The Society of American Travel Writers is the largest travel journalist organization in the world. More than 500 society members and guests attend the meeting. The keynote speaker was Bill Bryson, acclaimed author of humorous books on travel—including a 1998 book on the Appalachian Trail—as well as books on the English language and scientific subjects. According to the Inquirer, the other Phoenix Award winners were White River State Park, a revitalized area that is home to many attractions in Indianapolis; a $200 million project that has preserved the old gold-mining town of Deadwood, S.D.; and the 29,000-square-foot Darwin D. Martin House Complex in Buffalo, a Frank Lloyd Wright site containing 394 art-glass windows that was in major disrepair before a recent restoration. Begun by the Rendell administration in 2003, the Pennsylvania Wilds initiative is a program designed to encourage the growth of tourism and related businesses in north central Pennsylvania. Its goal is to enhance the visitor experiences in this region, while protecting and conserving the land’s treasured natural resources. Pennsylvania Wilds covers Cameron, Clarion, Clearfield, Clinton, Elk, Forest, Jefferson, Lycoming, McKean, Potter, Tioga and Warren counties. It includes 29 state parks and 1.5 million acres of state forest and game lands, the Allegheny National Forest, Pine Creek Gorge, the largest elk herd in the northeast United States and the darkest nighttime skies at Cherry Springs State Park. For more information the Pennsylvania Wilds, visit here.
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“This award is a direct reflection of the hard work of everyone working on this important initiative,” DCNR Secretary Michael DiBerardinis said. “The Pennsylvania Wilds effort is starting to show tangible results, and we’re very pleased that the hard work and vision of so many dedicated individuals is recognized.”
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