Recipients of the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards

The 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star, were awarded on November 24, 2011 as part of The Tourism Congress, TIAC’s annual conference.

The 2011 recipients are:

The Lifetime Achievement Award

Presented by Tourism Toronto

Senator Nancy Greene Raine and Al Raine

About the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards Recipients

(note: Posted in the language in which the nomination is submitted)

The Air Canada Business of the Year Award

Presented to a tourism business that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, and is thus an example of all-round business excellence in the tourism industry.

CN Tower (Toronto, ON)

Canada’s National Tower has achieved a remarkable legacy as icon, landmark, engineering marvel, world-class tourist destination and one of Canada’s most celebrated and visited attractions. In 2011 the CN Tower turned 35 and launched EdgeWalk, the most extreme experience in its history. As an enduring symbol of Canada’s awe-inspiring experiences, the Tower’s continued investment in upgrades and enhancements ensure a leading edge facility with innovative experiences that continue to attract visitors, placing Toronto and Canada on the world stage and reinforcing CN Tower as a must see.

The Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-sized Business of the Year Award

Presented to a tourism business (with fewer than 20 employees) that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, and is thus an example of all-round business excellence in the tourism industry.

Meridian Reservation Systems (Niagara Falls, ON)

Meridian Reservation Systems provides technological, management, and marketing solutions for the global hospitality, tourism, and leisure industries. Owner John Pinter founded Niagara Central Reservations in 1999, developing over the next decade one of the most sophisticated on-line reservation systems for the tourism industry. Meridian has since expanded to a client base of 21 DMOs across Canada and the US, including Tourism Toronto, Quebec City, Ottawa Tourism, Banff Lake Louise, Calgary, Dawson City and more.

The Delta Hotels and Resorts New Business of the Year Award

Presented to an entity that has demonstrated innovation, ingenuity, hard work and perseverance to establish a strong, viable and successful new business in the tourism sector.

Ottawa Convention Centre (Ottawa, ON)

The Ottawa Convention Centre, an iconic addition to Ottawa’s tourism infrastructure, opened on time and on budget on April 12, 2011 to launch a new and unprecedented era in the meetings and conventions sector in Canada’s Capital, with triple the space of the former Ottawa Congress Centre. The economic impact generated from events taking place at the new OCC will touch a broad range of sectors, and will support a vibrant “Visitor Economy” - the likes of which Ottawa has never enjoyed before. Not only do convention delegates meet at the new OCC; history, functionality, beauty and environmental responsibility meet there as well.

The Deloitte Innovator of the Year Award

Presented to the tourism business or organization that develops the most innovative new tourism product, service or process, or the most innovative new approach to an existing tourism product, service or process that positively impacts the tourism business or the tourism industry as a whole.

Stonehammer Geopark (Saint John, NB)

Stonehammer Geopark is North America’s first UNESCO-recognized Geopark. Centered in Saint John, the park includes 60 significant geological and fossil locales, spread out over 2500 square kilometers in southern New Brunswick, 12 of which are accessible to the public. It connects people to the earth in a meaningful way through walking, kayaking, hiking, interpretive walks, and other experiences. The project is a unique example of the community leading an effort to support the visitor economy and the long-term sustainability of the City of Saint John and its surrounding communities with the help of partner organizations, corporate donors, and local and provincial governments.

The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Marketing Campaign of the Year Award

Presented to the organization that has devised and implemented the year’s most outstanding tourism marketing campaign or initiative.

Find Yourself – Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism (NL)

In Newfoundland and Labrador, there’s no such thing as an accidental tourist. Confronted by real and perceptual barriers of travel distance, time, and cost, it takes deliberate planning and effort to visit the most easterly point in North America. Still, the Find Yourself campaign has been hugely successful in positioning the province as unique and exotic. Though it launched with relatively modest goals, the campaign generated a 10% increase in interest in NL as a travel destination, an 11.2% increase in web traffic, a 7.3% increase in non-resident visitation, and an increase in tourism spending by a whopping 9.3% or $36 million.

The Corporate Partner of the Year Award / Le Prix de l’entreprise partenaire de l’année

Presented to a business or corporation that is not traditionally recognized as part of the tourism industry, but that has shown exceptional support of tourism businesses, tourism initiatives, or the tourism industry as a whole.

Waterfront Development Corporation (Halifax, NS)

The Waterfront Development Corporation is a provincial crown corporation responsible for developing industrial lands surrounding the waterfronts in Halifax and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia. The Corporation has fostered the creation of waterfronts that drive economic opportunity, enhance tourism, provide experiences, and protect marine heritage. To date, more than $30M has been invested in support of development and maintenance of public infrastructure and amenities towards the provision of public space at the water's edge. As stewards of the most visited destinations in Nova Scotia, the WDCL stimulates tourism and provides the backdrop to attract economic activity to Nova Scotia.

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre Event of the Year Award

Presented to an event or festival that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, and thus serves as an example of excellence to other events and festivals and the greater tourism industry.

Carnaval de Québec (Québec, QC)

Le Carnaval de Québec est le plus grand carnaval d'hiver au monde, organisé annuellement dans le but de générer à Québec une activité économique, touristique, culturelle et sociale de première qualité dont les gens de la région seront fiers. Le Carnaval est donc un grand rassemblement accessible à toute la population québécoise, canadienne et internationale. L’événement s’anime pendant 17 jours et attire chaque année plus de 750 000 participants venus des quatre coins du globe.

The WestJet Social Media Initiative of the Year Award / Le Prix de l’initiative en médias sociaux de l'année, présenté par WestJet

Presented to the tourism business or organization that has devised and implemented the year’s most outstanding social media marketing campaign or initiative.

48 Half Hours Contest – Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism (NL)

Newfoundland is the only destination on the continent with a unique half-hour time zone, a quirky, compelling part of this place and a metaphor for who they are as a people. On 22 June 2011, NL Tourism launched one of the biggest travel contests in the province’s history – the 48 Half Hours Contest – designed to get the whole country on Newfoundland time for one day. With a free trip to Newfoundland given away every half hour for a full day, the contest received 900,000 entries (620 per minute), NL Facebook ‘likes’ doubled (+13,000), and Twitter followers increased 14% (+350). Additionally, there were 84,000 webpage visits - 30% of which came from their primary market (Ontario).

The Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award

Presented to an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the practice and promotion of sustainable tourism in Canada.

Nahanni River Adventures and Canadian River Expeditions (Whitehorse, YK)

Nahanni River Adventures (NRA) and Canadian River Expeditions (CRE) bring together the best guides and the best rivers to create experiences of a lifetime in Canada’s North and Alaska. Recognized by National Geographic as one of the Best Adventure Companies on Earth, NRA and CRE are also leaders in responsible tourism practices – including Leave No Trace business practices, cultural and environmental education and local community development. As well, for more than 25 years, owner/operator Neil Hartling has been an active advocate for environmental protection, including park establishment, expansion and responsible, sustainable resource use.

The InterContinental Hotels Group Employee of the Year Award

Presented to the front-line employee whose professionalism, dedication, attitude, and quality of service best exemplify excellence in the tourism industry.

Wilma Anderson, Guest Services Manager and Purchaser, Elmhirst’s Resort (Keene, ON)

Wilma Anderson joined Elmhirst's Resort in 1985 as a dishwasher, later moving on to Housekeeping, eventually managing the department. In 1990 Wilma was promoted to Guest Service Manager - responsible for reservations, check-in and check-out, office management and budgeting. As a single parent she struggled to balance home and work - she was able to take over a rogue department and without any formal training excel at supervision, staff motivation, budgeting and time management. Her caring attitude and willingness to provide a hug when needed has proven to be very effective. Although Wilma is not a family member she acts like one - earning respect from guests and fellow employees alike. Guest comments reaffirm this and reinforce her status as the face of the business.

The National Cultural Tourism Award

Recognizes a cultural organization that has demonstrated a commitment to the development and promotion of authentic, innovative and enriched cultural tourism visitor experiences, or a tourism organization that has demonstrated a commitment to culture as a key aspect of encouraging and promoting tourism growth in their region.

Celtic Colours International Festival (Cape Breton Island, NS)

The internationally acclaimed, award-winning Celtic Colours International Festival takes place in culturally diverse communities all over Cape Breton Island. Celtic Colours partners with over 120 not-for-profit organizations and 1700 volunteers to present 45 concerts and nearly 250 community events, extending Cape Breton’s tourism season into late October. Learning opportunities consisting of workshops, presentations, demonstrations, lectures, and storytelling events help to share the story of our Celtic cultural history, artistry and community heritage. Visitors spend $6 million dollars annually amongst the Island’s accommodations, restaurants, attractions, artisans and shops, contributing to the sustainability of our economy and traditions.

The CTHRC Award for Excellence in Human Resources Development

Presented to a business that has clearly demonstrated a commitment to professionalism in the tourism workforce, a commitment shown through professional recognition, training and excellence in human resource management.

White Point Beach Resort (White Point, NS)

Located on Nova Scotia's South Shore just 90 minutes from Halifax, White Point is Nova Scotia’s favourite year-round, oceanfront beach vacation destination. With more than 75% of employees being emerit-certified, White Point Beach Resort is dedicated to professional development and training at various levels. They have achieved global recognition through their ISO9001:2008 Certification, which is awarded to service industries that demonstrate an exceptional commitment to training and responsible Human Resource Management. White Point provides an extensive HR program that includes student scholarships and placements, professional development, staff recognition, and support of local tourism industry initiatives.

The Via Rail Canada Community Service Award

Presented to the tourism business or organization that makes the year’s most outstanding contribution to develop, build and enhance social conditions in their community.

Le Buffet des Continents (Gatineau, Québec)

Québec’s Le Buffet des Continents works very hard to support several agencies and foundations. The Buffet donates leftovers to the Soupière de l’amitité, a local soup kitchen, feeding more than 100 people at lunch every day, and works with the Saint Vincent de Paul Society and the Red Cross to provide meals to those in need of short-term assistance. Collaboration with Operation Red Nose provides meal certificates to volunteer drivers working to eliminate drinking and driving. Le Buffet’s support extends to the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO), local sports teams, La Moisson Outaouais (a local food bank), the Relance Outaouais and Emploi Québec job program. They contribute to more than 50 other fundraising activities for various charitable causes including Centre Jellinek, the Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada, the Fondation québécoise du cancer, the Children’s Wish Foundation, the Canadian Cancer Society, the Quebec Cystic Fibrosis Association and the Société Alzheimer de l’Outaouais.

The Traveller Experience Award

Presented to the tourism business or organization creates the year’s most exceptional tourism product, service or experience centred on the fundamental principles of hospitality and customer service.

Village historique de Val-Jalbert (Chambord, QC)

Le Village historique de Val-Jalbert est un authentique village de compagnie qui compte une quarantaine de bâtiments d’origine. Les visiteurs peuvent découvrir comment les gens vivaient dans ce village ultra-moderne où, vingt-cinq ans cinq avant le reste du Québec, ses habitants profitaient de l’électricité et de l’eau courante. Profitez des nombreux circuits de visite, des plus classiques aux plus technos, et des activités culturelles, sportives et récréatives qui vous y attendent.