(Pembroke, ON) – The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) is excited to announce a very special motorcycle familiarization (FAM) tour, taking place May 31 – June 4th, 2011. The upcoming media FAM tour will result in invaluable editorial coverage featuring motorcycle riding in the Ottawa Valley.

The OVTA, working with Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) and Trillium Motorcycle Tours & Events, is preparing to host 8 prominent female motorcycle journalists from Canada and the US for a 5 day tour of the Ottawa Valley. The tour will take the women across the Valley with stops in Greater Madawaska, Whitewater Township Region, North Algona Wilberforce, Bonnechere Valley, Madawaska Valley, and Petawawa.

“The FAM tour will showcase the incredible riding opportunities available in the Valley, as well as provide an extensive overview of Ottawa Valley attractions,” explains Lauren McIllfaterick, OVTA Communications Coordinator. “The women will have a chance to visit tourist highlights including Whitewater Rafting on the Ottawa River, the Bonnechere Caves, the Algonquin Way Cultural Centre, the town of Wilno, and Algonquin Park.”

The media rider roster includes: Debbie Macdonald, Production Manager of Thunder Press Rider Magazine; Genevieve Schmitt, Founder/Editor of WomenRidersNow.com; Tricia Szulewski, Staff Writer and Art Director for RoadBike Magazine and American Iron; Christa Neuhauser, Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of RoadRunner Motorcycle Touring & Travel Magazine; Lesley Gering, freelance writer; Pamela Collins, Writer for Backroads USA Magazine, Kristi Martel, Journalist for Motorcyclist Magazine; and Liz Jansen, freelance writer and President of Trillium Motorcycle Tours & Events.

“While the journalists cover the major North American print and online publications, their experience will resonate directly with the rapidly growing women riders market,” explains Liz Jansen, FAM Tour Coordinator with Trillium Motorcycle Tours.

“This is a 'Huge' undertaking being executed by the Ottawa-Valley Tourist Association,” says Claude Aumont, Strategic Partnership Coordinator for OTMPC. “We are going to showcase a best-in-class 'Ontario Riding' Destination with 8 of the most influential motorcycle women (media) in North America. The timing coincides beautifully with the release of The Ontario (Bike/RV) interactive tour planner, set to be released late this summer. This will position Ontario as a world premier touring destination.”

Ms. Jansen agrees, stating “The Ottawa Valley is a prime example of why all motorcyclists need to experience Ontario; Easily accessible from any direction, the region combines cultural heritage, wilderness, unique rugged beauty, diverse land forms of the Canadian shield, Aboriginal history, quaint towns with roots in pioneer times – and amazing roads to connect them all.”

The Ottawa Valley motorcycle FAM tour would not be possible without the generous support of many sponsors. Honda Canada, DEELEY Harley-Davidson Canada, and BMW Motorrad Canada are providing new bikes for the women to ride. Local sponsors include Calabogie Peaks Resort, RiverRun Rafting and Wilderness Resort, London House Inn & Spa, Sands on Golden Lake, and Petawawa Quality Inn & Suites.

For more information on the upcoming media FAM tour and motorcycling in the Ottawa Valley, visit ottawavalelly.travel.

The OVTA is the official destination marketing organization for the Upper Ottawa Valley and proudly represents more than 215 tourism businesses, comprised of attractions and events, accommodation, dining and retail establishments, rafting companies and outfitters, artists and galleries, as well as media and industry suppliers.