(Pembroke, ON) – The Ottawa Valley Tourist Association (OVTA) is proud to report that the recent Motorcycle Media Familiarization (FAM) Tour was a great success. The 8 participating moto-journalists had a wonderful time and the positive editorial coverage of the area is starting to pour in.

May 31st to June 4th, the OVTA, in collaboration with Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation (OTMPC) and Trillium Motorcycle Tours & Events, welcomed 8 prominent female motorcycle journalists from Canada and the US for a 5 day FAM tour of the Ottawa Valley. The tour took the women across the Valley with stops in Greater Madawaska, Whitewater Township Region, North Algona Wilberforce, Bonnechere Valley, Pembroke, Madawaska Valley, and Petawawa.

“The FAM tour provided the participating moto-journalists the opportunity to experience the incredible riding available in the Valley, as well as see first-hand some of our world renown attractions like Algonquin Park and Whitewater Rafting,” explains Lauren McIllfaterick, OVTA Communications Coordinator.

A highlight of the trip for a number of the women was whitewater rafting with FAM tour sponsor RiverRun Rafting. The women experienced the Ottawa River’s spectacular high water levels in one of RiverRun’s unique 6-person high-adventure rafts. The writers who chose not to raft indulged their senses in a soothing spa treatment at London House Inn & Spa on the RiverRun site.

“The FAM tour will translate into invaluable editorial coverage for the Ottawa Valley,” raves Ms. McIllfaterick. “Liz Jansen from Trillium Motorcycle Tours and Events has already published a glowing review and video of the tour at www.motorcycle.com/events/index.html”.

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

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