The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has announced the finalists of its annual Canadian Tourism Awards—the standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in tourism that recognizes success, leadership, and innovation in the industry.
Tourism HR Canada congratulates all of this year’s finalists, and is honoured to sponsor two awards categories this year: Employee of the Year and Employer of the Year.
“We are thrilled to be announcing the finalists of these Awards, which mean more to us this year than ever as the industry first hit and hardest hit by the pandemic,” says Beth Potter, President and CEO of TIAC. “Each of these finalists have proven to have gone above and beyond in offering travellers superior experiences in Canada, and have done so under incredibly trying circumstances: amid a global recession, rampant inflation, supply chain issues, and so on. These esteemed finalists embody the true spirit of our Awards—the values of courage, hard work, and dedication.”
Now in its 22nd year, the Canadian Tourism Awards features nine categories of distinction, in addition to the prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award. Nominations are open to all businesses operating in any of the full suite of tourism industry groups: accommodations, transportation, recreation and entertainment, travel services, and food and beverage services.
The final winners will be announced at a gala ceremony on November 23, taking place during TIAC’s annual Tourism Congress, held at The Westin Ottawa.
The full list of finalists is:
Tourism HR Canada Employee of the Year Award:
- Kaleigh Potts, Adventure Canada – Mississauga, ON
- Spurgeon Robbins, Summerside Visitor Information Centre – Summerside, PEI
- Susan Tomihiro, Fresh Tracks Canada – Vancouver, BC
Tourism HR Canada Employer of the Year Award:
- Kingsbrae Garden – Saint Andrews, NB
- Great Wolf Lodge – Niagara Falls, ON
- Tourism Kingston – Kingston, ON
Floor13 Business Event Award:
- Amii AI Week – Edmonton, AB
- YASTA (Yarmouth and Acadian Shores Tourism Association) TMAC 2022 Conference and AGM – Yarmouth, NS
- Prospectors and Developers Association of Canada 2022 Convention – Toronto, ON
Air Canada Business of the Year Award:
- The Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
- Great Wolf Lodge – Niagara Falls, ON
- Harbour Air Group – Vancouver, BC
ITAC Indigenous Tourism Award:
- Heritage Path Tour – Elsipogtog First Nation, NB
- Corporation Nibiischii – Mistissini, QC
- Wanuskewin Heritage Park – Saskatoon, SK
VIA Rail Canada Innovator of the Year Award:
- The Institute for Canadian Citizenship – Toronto, ON
- AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village – Saint John, NB
- Malahat SkyWalk – Malahat, BC
Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award:
- ERTCU Travel Group – Penticton, BC
- Euston Park – Moncton, NB
- Be Rad Adventure Co. – Saint John, NB
Air Transat Sustainable Tourism Award:
- FOUR Nature Resort – Chelmsford, NB
- Au Diable Vert – Sutton, QC
- Eagle Wing Tours – Victoria, BC
TMAC Travel Media Award:
- Matthew and Karla Bailey, Must Do Canada – Okotoks, AB
- Leah Adams-Chute, Dune Creative – Sechelt, BC
- Heather Greenwood Davis, Freelance Journalist – Markham, ON
For more information about the Canadian Tourism Awards, visit here; and for the Tourism Congress, visit here.