The late Gordon Bell, owner of the Three Valley Gap Heritage Ghost Town and Three Valley Lake Chateau west of Revelstoke, has been selected as a recipient of the National Tour Association (NTA) Pioneer Award at the organization’s tour operator meeting held in Monterey, California.

“The NTA Board of Directors selected Gordon Bell as the recipient of the 2009 Pioneer Award because his many accomplishments have made a significant impact on the travel industry,” said NTA President Lisa Simon. “Gordon was a true pioneer in every sense of the word and his contributions continue to benefit travellers from all over the world.”

Bell passed away in November of 2007.

The National Tour Association is a tourism industry association of packaged travel professionals. The NTA promotes and advocates for the packaged travel industry through its advocacy efforts and progressive leadership.

Gordon and his wife Ethel started the heritage town in Three Valley Gap in 1961, originally starting out as a seven-room motel with a coffee shop and museum.

They bought 20 acres of swamp land a year later, allowing them to expand into a resort that now boasts 200 guest rooms, restaurants, gardens and a Heritage Ghost Town. The entire operation is powered by a self-sustaining hydro plant which was developed and installed by Gordon.

Bell’s daughter, Rene Bell Bourget, and granddaughter Diana Bostock accepted the award on behalf of the Bell family. She says the story of her grandfather’s work got a standing ovation from the over 200 NTA members in attendance.

Bostock says receiving the award was an honour. “Our family was quite honoured,” she said. “We’re excited that his legacy is still being recognized and even though he’s passed away his work is still being recognized and rewarded.”

Bostock says Three Valley Gap continues to have a direct impact on the economy of Revelstoke, including employing about 75 people during the summer season. She estimates about two thirds of them live in Revelstoke, including many of Bell’s direct descendants.

The family still continues working to develop facilities at Three Valley Gap, focusing on the Ghost Town, including new displays, construction of new elements, renovating rooms as well as the never-ending job of marketing. “It’s a little bit of everything,” says Bostock. “You want to keep building and keep doing new things and give people a reason to come back if they’ve come before.”

She encourages newcomers to the area to come check it out. “I know there’s lots of new people in Revelstoke that may not all be familiar with what Three Valley Gap is. [I] encourage them to come visit us out in the Ghost Town or check out the gardens. It doesn’t necessarily have to be a night stay -- just come and visit.” She notes the Ghost Town is popular with children. They are open until October 7 this year.