Canadian Tulip Festival wins international award and recognition

October 21, 2024

The Canadian Tulip Festival, which takes place annually in Ottawa, was awarded the heritage entertainment award at the World Tulip Summit this month. The summit, which took place in The Hague, is dedicated to enhancing the tulip visitor experience while developing innovative promotion strategies. “The (Canadian Tulip Festival)’s obvious dedication to education and entertainment has […]

Already an Insider? Log in

Get Instant Access to This Article

Become an Ottawa Business Journal Insider and get immediate access to all of our Insider-only content and much more.

Learn More and Become an Insider

Canadian Tulip Festival executive director Jo Riding with co-chair of the World Tulip Summit, Gwen Auwerda. (Photo provided by Canadian Tulip Festival)

“The (Canadian Tulip Festival)’s obvious dedication to education and entertainment has resulted in outstanding world-class productions that tell the real stories of Canadian heroes, honouring their sacrifice in the liberation of the Netherlands and the reason Ottawa is the tulip capital of Canada,” said Ibo Gülsen, World Tulip Summit chair, in a news release. The festival is Ottawa’s longest-running and generates $58 million in economic benefit locally, according to Ontario’s Tourism Regional Economic Impact Model. Advertising for the event was seen by almost three million Canadians. “I am thrilled to take Ottawa’s tourism initiatives to a world stage,” said festival executive director Jo Riding. “Since taking over the festival we have successfully reduced previous debt and struggled with the uncertainty of government funding. We have been innovative and vocal while developing tourism. With almost half a million visits in 2024, we humbly believe we’re onto something!” Riding travelled to The Hague for the summit and was invited by Princess Margriet to visit her home beside Het Loo Palace.

Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Canadian Tulip Festival executive director Jo Riding. Photo provided by Canadian Tulip Festival) — Her Royal Highness Princess Margriet of the Netherlands and Canadian Tulip Festival executive director Jo Riding at Huis Het Loo in Apeldoorn, Netherlands. Photo provided by Canadian Tulip Festival)

In celebration of the award, Riding will host an invite-only event in November in Ottawa in partnership with the Ingenium Foundation where friends of the festival will enjoy a backstage tour of some of Canada’s most impressive collections, including pieces from Canadians Yousef Karsh and festival founder Malak Karsh.