Members Area English | Français

Join TIAC

2020 Canadian Tourism Awards Categories

This year the Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by the Toronto Star & WestJet, hosted by Ottawa Tourism, will be presented in 10 categories. Click on a category or scroll down for a description of each award.

To start a nomination click here

Sponsor	Category	Description	Preview Questionnaire	Start Nomination
	Pursuit Attractions & Events Award	view	open	go
	Air Canada Business of the Year Award	view	open	go
	Culinary Tourism Award	view	open	go
	ITAC Indigenous Tourism Award	view	open	go
	Accor Marketing Campaign of the Year Award	view	open	go
	Air Transat Responsible Tourism Award	view	open	go
	Small Business of the Year Award	view	open	go
	Tourism HR Canada Employee of the Year Award	view	open	go
	VIA Rail Canada Tourism Innovation Award	view	open	go
	Tourism Toronto Lifetime Achievement Award	view	open	go

Category Descriptions

Pursuit Attractions & Events Award

The Attractions & Events Award will be presented to a tourism business or organization that provides an outstanding attraction, event or festival that exemplifies industry best practices in all aspects of its operations, and thus serves as an example of excellence to the greater tourism industry.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Promotes visitor/spectator participation and satisfaction (20%)
Provides experiences that showcase and promote regional tourism (20%)
Contribution to or enhancement of the tourism industry (20%)
Promotes tourism and economic activity in the host community (20%)
Social and/or cultural impact on Canada or the host community year-round (20%)

Air Canada Business of the Year Award

The Business of the Year Award will be 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.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Overall strength & long-term viability of the business/business model/strategy (20%)
Commitment to visitor/participant/spectator satisfaction (20%)
Commitment to growth, innovation and product development (20%)
Contribution to or enhancement of the tourism industry (20%)
Commitment to human resources development (20%)

Culinary Tourism Award

The Culinary Tourism Award recognizes an organization or business that delivers an authentic consumer experience showcasing Canadian food and beverage.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Demonstrates innovation in showcasing authentic culinary experiences in their region/destination (25%)
Exemplifies Canada as an international culinary destination (25%)
Promotes quality Canadian food or drink products (25%)
Contribution in promoting regional culinary tourism experiences (25%)

ITAC Indigenous Tourism Award

The Indigenous Tourism Award will recognize an Indigenous tourism business that has demonstrated a commitment to the development, promotion and delivery of an authentic, innovative and enriched Indigenous tourism visitor experience. The recipient will have demonstrated a commitment to authentic Indigenous cultural tourism as a key aspect of encouraging and promoting tourism growth in their region.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Commitment to visitor satisfaction through delivery of quality and authentic market ready experiences as outlined in ATAC’s National Guidelines (20%)
Stimulation of tourism employment and economic activity in the host Aboriginal community (20%)
Social/cultural impact in the community through the demonstrated promotion and advancement of Aboriginal culture (20%)
Demonstrates innovation in the development and delivery of the experience (20%)
Commitment to cultural sustainability (20%)

Accor Marketing Campaign of the Year Award

The Marketing Campaign of the Year Award will be presented to the organization that has devised and implemented the year's most outstanding tourism marketing campaign or initiative. Nominations may be presented in this category for audio, video, print campaigns or digital including social media or any combination thereof (i.e. a multi-media campaign).

The judging criteria in this category are:

Efficacy & viability of the campaign strategy (20%)
Innovativeness/uniqueness of creative materials (20%)
Demonstrably attracts or enhances awareness (20%)
Converts awareness into visitor traffic (conversion) (20%)
Contributes to or enhances the local, provincial and/or national tourism industry (20%)

Air Transat Responsible Tourism Award

The Responsible Tourism Award will be presented to an organization that has made an outstanding contribution to the practice and promotion of responsible tourism in Canada.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Protects and preserves natural and cultural heritage resources (20%)
Fosters appreciation and enjoyment of natural and cultural heritage resources (20%)
Raises awareness among visitors and influences them to enjoy resources sustainably (20%)
Mitigates negative impacts of tourism on the natural and cultural environment (20%)
Respects, involves and engages other stakeholders and host communities (20%)

Hilton Small Business of the Year Award

The Small Business of the Year Award will be 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.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Overall strength & long-term viability of the business/business model/strategy (20%)
Commitment to visitor/participant/spectator satisfaction (20%)
Commitment to growth, innovation and product development (20%)
Contribution to or enhancement of the tourism industry (20%)
Commitment to human resources development (20%)

Tourism HR Canada Employee of the Year Award

The Tourism Employee of the Year Award will be presented to the front-line employee whose professionalism, dedication, attitude, and quality of service best exemplify excellence in the tourism industry.

Owner/operators and senior management personnel are generally not eligible for this award.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Attitude and dedication (20%)
Leadership, cooperation and teamwork (20%)
Maintains exemplary work standards (20%)
Goes above and beyond to improve his/her organization (20%)
Commitment to visitor/participant/spectator satisfaction (20%)

VIA Rail Canada Tourism Innovation Award

The Tourism Innovation Award will be 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.

The judging criteria in this category are:

Creativity/originality/uniqueness of the innovation (20%)
Complements or enhances the range of tourism products (20%)
Positively impacts visitor/participant/spectator satisfaction (20%)
Exemplifies or stimulates the development of a broader growth, innovation and product development strategy (20%)
Promotes long-term growth in the tourism industry (20%)

Tourism Toronto Lifetime Achievement Award

Nominees for the Lifetime Achievement Award should be individuals who have:

Dedicated the majority of their professional career to the tourism sector;
Made an outstanding personal contribution to the tourism sector;
Helped to create growth in Canada’s tourism sector through innovation, astute business practices and the development of new opportunities;
Demonstrated leadership in the industry through their engagement with tourism partners at the local, provincial and/or national levels;
Left a positive and lasting legacy with the people with whom they have worked.

Nominees are generally retired or in the twilight of their tourism careers.

Questions?

For more information, please contact Leanne Czerwinski at 613-698-6455 or lczerwinski@tiac-aitc.ca