Peterborough & the Kawarthas Recipient of Inaugural Water Ways Destination of the Year

Peterborough & the Kawarthas is declared the first-ever winner of its Water Ways Destination of the Year award by Water Ways TV, announced on Wednesday.

(from left to right) Joe Rees, Director of Tourism with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development; Hon. Neil Lumsden, Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport; Steven Bull, Host and Executive Producer of Water Ways TV; Bonnie Clark, Peterborough County Warden, Dave Smith, MPP, Peterborough-Kawartha and Jeff Leal, Mayor of Peterborough. Photo courtesy of Ed Middleton

This annual prize from the noted North American boating TV series recognizes communities for bringing world-class boating experiences to locals and visitors from around the world according to Steven J. Bull, Water Ways TV executive producer and host.

“It is truly an honour for the region to receive the first-ever Destination of the Year award from Water Ways TV,” said Joe Rees, Director of Tourism with Peterborough & the Kawarthas Economic Development. ” As the official destination marketing organization for the City of Peterborough and Peterborough County, our team works diligently to position the waterway and recreational boating at the heart of our story. 2024 is an incredible year for Peterborough & the Kawarthas and this recognition couldn’t have arrived at a more celebratory moment for our sought-after destination.”

“We genuinely believe that some memories can’t be made on land,” he said. “Peterborough & the Kawarthas caught our eye in 2024 by welcoming the newest base for world’s largest fleet of luxury houseboats, Le Boat, while also opening the stunning new waterfront Canadian Canoe Museum which houses the world’s largest collection of paddled watercraft.”

Peterborough and the Kawarthas are known to have been shaped by its connection to water with the historic Trent-Severn Waterway winding through its communities.

“As 2024 Water Ways Destination of the Year, Peterborough & the Kawarthas will have an entire episode dedicated to it’s waters in the new series coming this September,” said Bull. “Ontario is a fitting launch for our slate of new regional shows (with Florida and the Pacific Northwest planned for 2025) and will celebrate destinations from Toronto to Temiskaming, and experiences from wakesurfing to walleye fishing, yachting to kayaking.”

“This recognition appropriately celebrates Peterborough & the Kawarthas’ thriving boating culture which has for decades motivated locals and visitors alike to take to its waters to explore the region’s natural beauty and wealth of recreational opportunities on offer,” said Hon. Neil Lumsden, Ontario’s Minister of Tourism, Culture and Sport. I am proud that Waters Ways: Ontario will showcase the best boating destinations across our province and the small business owners and operators that continue to connect us to the water, benefitting local economies and reinforcing Ontario’s reputation as a choice destination for endless adventure.”

“Boating Ontario is proud to support the new Water Ways: Ontario TV series,” said Rick Layzell, Boating Ontario Association CEO. “With an unprecedented content plan ready for execution, Water Ways: Ontario is set to shine a positive light on the exceptional recreational boating opportunities across our incredible province. Boating Ontario members have a ground floor opportunity to engage with this new series and benefit from the anticipated consumer engagement.”

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