OTTAWA---A photograph capturing a storm on the shores of Lake Superior and a feature about Niagara's famous icewine harvest captured top honours for Best Travel Photography and Best Travel Journalism at the Ontario Tourism Marketing Awards last night.

"Journalism is a powerful way to tell our story to visitors around the world," said Robin Garrett, President and CEO of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC), which administers the awards. "Photographer Rob Stimpson and journalist Betty Zyvatkauskas did a spectacular job of showcasing Ontario's beauty--and its delicious bounty."

Stimpson received the Best Travel Photography award for his image of another photographer taking a picture of crashing waves on the shores of Lake Superior, near Wawa. The photograph, featured in the Ottawa Citizen, reflected a new breed of tourist-- those who travel to watch and photograph storms.

Zyvatkauskas was honoured for her "Spotlight: Icewine--A Frozen Vintage" article, which gave readers an evocative look into the Niagara Icewine Festival, the harvest and other events that make the Niagara region a delightful winter destination for tourists. The piece was featured in AAA Living Michigan, the official publication of AAA Michigan.

The winners of the third annual Ontario Tourism Marketing Awards were announced during the province's two-day tourism marketing summit, held in Ottawa.

The awards recognize marketing campaigns and news stories that successfully promote the province as a must-see destination. Nominations were open to all organizations or individuals in the tourism hospitality industry operating in Ontario. The categories covered key sectors within the tourism industry including travel trade, industry, journalism and photography. OTMPC Chair William Duron acted as master of ceremonies during the awards presentation.

"Thanks to Rob Stimpson and Betty Zyvatkauskas for shining the spotlight on two unique, unforgettable Ontario experiences, and congratulations to both for their journalism awards," said Duron.

Contact: Amalia Kyriacou Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation 416-314-6590

Written by Craig Thompson // Photographs by Rob Stimpson

Published by Boston Mills Press -- Canada's leading specialty publisher // Distributed by Firefly Books

From early native pictographs to the groundbreaking work of the Group of Seven to the artistic interpretations of today, Ontario enjoys a rich artistic heritage. The province's boundless wilderness palette has created magnificent collections, inspired hundreds of small galleries and studios, and fuels the passion of a new generation of creative artists. This guide is a colourful travel resource guide that brings the art of Ontario to the people and the people to the art.

• Journeys and experiences where the destination is art

• The great landscapes

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Artist's and Photographer's Guide is a unique opportunity to celebrate the landscapes of Ontario and inspire the development of creative travel product in the province. It's a one-stop resource guide to artistic destinations and experiential travel in the province; an opportunity to develop a renewed interest in Ontario's rich artistic heritage and inspire artists and creative travelers to explore Ontario.

The journey through Artist's and Photographer's Guide includes:

• Artistic destinations by region and signature landscapes

• Aboriginal art

• Group of Seven and famous painters of the past

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• Paddling, hiking and driving to the best locations

• Galleries and studio tours

• Painting and photography workshops