Ottawa Mayor Jim Watson said it was "a big mistake" that no Ottawa tourist attractions made the Canadian Tourism Commission's list of must-see sites in the country.
The CTC issued their list of 48 "Signature Experiences" which included The Sunset Ceremony at Old Fort Henry in Kingston, Quebec City's winter carnival, the Alexander Keith's Brewery in Halifax and the newly-opened CN Tower Edgewalk.
Watson didn't go as far as call it a snub, but wondered why Canada's capital didn't make an appearance.
"I can't imagine the US equivalent leaving Washington off or the UK equivalent leaving London off," he said. "We're the nation's capital, tourism's the third-largest industry here, we have a lot to offer and to be left off the list by the CTC. . . I don't think it's intentional but I think it was a big mistake."
People surveyed on the streets could think of many attractions that they said were worthy for the list.
"We've seen the Parliament (Hill), we've seen the art gallery, walked down by the river," said one Australian tourist. "We've seen the Canal, it was beautiful."
"It's the nation's capital, I think that alone is very important so for me it's completely surprising that it'd be off," said another in the Byward Market.
A spokesperson for the CTC, which used to be based in Ottawa but has moved to Vancouver, said the list was based on submissions.
Watson, who used to be the head of the organization, said next year the capital won't be left off the internationally-marketed list.
"We're going to have to do a better job of making sure that they understand that our nation's capital and tourism go hand-in-hand," he said.
With a report from CTV Ottawa's Carol Anne Meehan
