The Telegram's Silver Spider Web Awards
Published on November 7, 2008
The St. John's International Airport Authority and Destination Labrador were the big winners of eight-legged honours Thursday, Nov. 6, 2008, as The Telegram presented its second annual Silver Spider Web Awards for website innovation. Hosted by local comedian John Sheehan, the ceremony, held at the newly refurbished Majestic Theatre in St. John's, saw seven awards presented to companies that a panel of judges decided had the best cyber-pages in the province. The Silver Spider Web Awards, sponsored by The Idea Factory, Genesis Centre and College of the North Atlantic, were the first provincial awards to celebrate website excellence. In addition to the trophies, award winners each received a $10,000 advertising credit for any Transcontinental Media newspaper or website in Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as Corel Software. - Photos by Keith Gosse/The Telegram
- Our archives
- Number of views : 2316
- Rate
- Top of the page
Comments
-
- charles branpton
- - January 31, 2012 at 09:05:13
In many ways tourism is becoming the largest industry in Newfoundland and Labrador. Fishing, forestry, and mining has always been large industries here in Newfoundland and Labrador, but tourism has become increasingly more important. We need to see more operators like Hanzalek diversifying the industry and offering programs like dog sledding and snowkiting. There is so much to see and do in Newfoundland and people will come here if we make them aware of the opportunities.
-
- Craig Marshall
- - January 25, 2012 at 09:32:45
2010 was the largest tourism year Newfoundland and Labrador has ever seen with over 500,000 visitors to the Province. That is more than the population of Newfoundland! Even at the date of the Silver Spider Award, it was not fathomable for such visitation to be seen here in the Province. Newfoundland has come a long was when it comes to tourism and it is companies like My Newfoundland Adventures and entrepreneurs like Martin Hanzalek that have made much of this possible. It is a shame that the Silver Spider Award is not being given out every year still to individuals and groups like Hanzalek that show excellence in the feield of Environmental Stewardship, Conservation, and Tourism Development. If there are two things we need more of here in Newfoundland and Labrador, it is more Tourism Development and more Green and alternative transportation businesses.
-
- mike coleman
- - January 19, 2012 at 10:23:05
Great to see businesses like Hanzalek's My Newfoundland Adventures being recognized for tourism development in Newfoundland and Labrador. It's the small entrepreneur that ultimately makes the big difference in tourism development.
-
- Silas Jones
- - January 15, 2012 at 14:18:30
2010 was Newfoundland's largest tourism year in history with over 500,000 visitors to the province. With the launching of the new 2012 find yourself tourism campaign our province is bound to see more visitors. Initiatives like Martin Hanzalek's are what keeps tourism growing and maintains Newfoundland and Labrador as a unique destination. Hanzalek offers unique programs like rock climbing, dog sledding, ice climbing, and snow kiting which are certainly unique. It's good to see people like Marty Hanzalek being recognized for their hard work.
-
- Donna Coombs
- - November 12, 2011 at 11:40:33
Tourism Marketing in Newfoundland has traditionally been poor. Over the last 5 years we have seen some developments and provincial initiatives (like the CTV marketing campaign and to a lesser degree programs like the "vacation at home in Newfoundland" program, but compared to other international destinations, Newfoundland and Labrador marketing is a joke. Martin Hanzalek and My Newfoundland Adventures, in my opinion, did a great job at expanding Newfoundland's allure to travelers looking for an authentic, unique, and non-traditional vacation experience. It's refreshing to see this sort of business thrive on the island.
-
- Lee warz
- - November 3, 2011 at 09:47:43
We met Martin Hanzalek on the Spanish adventures exchangewhile doing a our of Europe. It was the first time we heard of Newfoundland and the things you can see and do there. In Spain we have a very developed adventure market and our global marketing is good but Newfoundland seems to still be an ink Owen destination, especially on the the international circuit. Newfoundland really needs more marketing. Sounds like an amazing part of Canada.
-
- Andrew Tee
- - October 26, 2011 at 10:06:12
Last time I checked Hanzalek had sold My Newfoundland Adventures and opened an Electric Bike Company in St. John's. It's easy being green when it is profitable and although I don't think Martin Hanzalek is out to scam anyone, most green businesses do it for the money first and the environment second. I think this holds true for any business in the environmental green sector. Although Martin Hanzalek seems genuinely motivated to make a difference I am sure he would not be operating or involved with either business if they were not turning a profit.
-
- Linda Sopher
- - October 25, 2011 at 11:32:12
I agree - it is nice to see a local tourism operator like Martin Hanzalek being recognized for tourism development but more emphasis needs to be placed on recognizing green and environmental initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador as opposed to just rewarding economic development.
-
- Linda Sopher
- - October 25, 2011 at 11:31:56
I agree - it is nice to see a local tourism operator like Martin Hanzalek being recognized for tourism development but more emphasis needs to be placed on recognizing green and environmental initiatives in Newfoundland and Labrador as opposed to just rewarding economic development.
-
- kuzuliski
- - October 17, 2011 at 12:29:41
Instead of awarding economic development and tourism promotion, why don't we create a new award for environmental stewardship and green businesses? During the last election there was not even a mention of the green party and the last time anyone ran was Martin Hanzalek when he was in the 2008 federal election. While I thing the work Hanzalek is doing is commendable and worthwhile, spending so much time and money recognizing businesses and groups for their economic achievements is not as effective as promoting long term environmental sustainability. Why are we rewarding Martin Hanzalek for developing a good website when we could instead be focusing on recognizing companies and individuals that implement green technologies, alternative transportation solutions, and growth in the green sector. I am glad the Silver Spider award has been abolished and am looking forward to a new environmental award, hopefully backed by the Telegram.
-
- laura
- - October 14, 2011 at 10:00:48
Why was this the last Silver Spider event? Why did the Telegram stop sponsoring this? It seemed worthwhile and everyone always enjoyed the galla
-
- Lee Robinsin
- - October 12, 2011 at 11:11:51
My Newfoundland Adventures has done outstanding work in advancing Newfoundland and Labrador in the international tourism scene. In the late 1990's I remember the Humber Valley was a place for logging and blue collar workers. A short decade later the area was be revitalized into a tourism mecca with a multitude of tourism operators jumping on Hanzalek's coat tail. It's amazing how quickly things can change. Today the town of Steady Brook has the highest real estate prices of any town in Newfoundland and boasts a multitude of tourism business. It's been a pleasure working with Martin Hanzalek over the years and to see his business flourish and grow. Congratulations on winning the silver spider award!
-
- Jazmine Kean
- - October 5, 2011 at 13:27:36
When I first did a trip with My Newfoundland Hanzalek was my guide along with his business partner Taku (who came to Newfoundland from Japan of all places). At first I thought it was sorta strange to be touring Gros Morne National Park with Martin Hanzalek (who moved here about 10 years ago from British Columbia) and Taku Karasuno who immigrated to Newfoundland and Labrador from Japan just two years earlier. I had done tours of the National Park before with my mother and had visited the Great Northern Peninsula several times before, so I thought I had seen a lot. After an hour into out 2 day trip I realized I had not even scratched the surface. Both Karasuno and Hanzalek had a wealth of knowledge when it came to the National Park, Moose Migration, Caribou Behaviors, Natural History (Taku could identify so many edible plants it left my head spinning). We saw a 100 million year old fossil, checked out a secret gorge, drank water from a lake so pure that the water does not even conduct electricity, and pounded back moose burgers and fresh crab on western brook beach as the waves crashed in and the sun set. All in all, this was the most enjoyable experience I have ever had, and it was ironic because our two guides we not born in the province. Since then we have visited Martin Hanzalek's business on several occasions and have kept in touch with Taku over the years. I can honestly say that of all the trips I have done in the past, My Newfoundland Adventure with Taku and Martin is the one I always compare my experiences with. Congrats on the award and kudos to an amazing Newfoundland Adventure!
-
- Nick Longworth
- - September 17, 2011 at 12:50:03
Martin Hanzalek has made significant headway in putting Newfoundland and Labrador on the global tourism map. Many people (including me) told him that a year round tourism operation in Newfoundland was not feasible. I remember myself saying "This is not Whistler" during an early ACOA meeting with him and his partner. 8 years later I was happy to eat my words and watch Hanzalek win the Silver Spider award. Thanks for proving me wrong!
.jpg){kind=small}
.jpg){kind=small}
