Vancouver, BC (December 5, 2024) - As Canada's tourism industry continues its strong post-pandemic recovery, 12 organizations and seven individuals were honoured for their exceptional contributions to the sector's growth and innovation.

The Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by TIAC at Vancouver's Tourism Congress, highlighted achievements across sustainability, Indigenous tourism, culinary experiences, and business excellence. The awards, presented in partnership with the Toronto Star and WestJet, showcased the breadth of Canada's tourism talent from coast to coast to coast.

"Each winner represents the incredible diversity and innovation driving Canadian tourism forward," said Beth Potter, President and CEO of TIAC. "From sustainable tourism initiatives to culinary experiences, these organizations and individuals demonstrate why Canada remains a world-leading destination."

The following awards were presented at the gala celebration:

BUSINESS EXCELLENCE

BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WINNER:

CanaDream RV (Rocky View County, AB)

Presented by Air Canada

SMALL- OR MEDIUM-SIZED BUSINESS OF THE YEAR WINNER:

Fresh Tracks (Canada) Ltd (Vancouver, BC)

Presented by Visit Mississauga

TOURISM EMPLOYER OF THE YEAR WINNER:

Accent Inns Inc (Victoria, BC)

Presented by TIAC

INNOVATION & SUSTAINABILITY

INNOVATOR OF THE YEAR WINNER:

Visitor Experience Centre, Tourism Hamilton (Hamilton, ON)

Presented by VIA Rail

SUSTAINABLE TOURISM AWARD WINNER:

Wild Loon Adventure Company (Winnipeg, MB)

Presented by GreenStep

TOURISM EXPERIENCE

INDIGENOUS TOURISM EXCELLENCE WINNER:

Klahoose Wilderness Resort (Powell River, BC)

Presented by Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

BUSINESS EVENT OF THE YEAR WINNER:

National Gathering of Elders (Edmonton, AB)

Presented by Floor13 and MMBC

CULINARY TOURISM EXPERIENCE WINNER:

Bar OA Farms (Strathcona County, AB)

Presented by Culinary Tourism Alliance

INDIVIDUAL ACHIEVEMENT

TOURISM EMPLOYEE OF THE YEAR WINNER:

Patrick Ryan, The Wilds Golf Resort (Holyrood, NL)

Presented by Tourism HR Canada

TRAVEL MEDIA PROFESSIONAL OF THE YEAR WINNER:

Diane Selkirk (Vancouver, BC)

Presented by Baxter Media

LIFETIME ACHIEVEMENT AWARD

Presented by Destination Toronto

Recipients:

• Cindy Ady, Former Interim CEO of Tourism Calgary
• Cathy Duke, Former CEO of Destination St John's
• Josef Ebner, Regional Vice-President and Managing Director of the Chelsea Hotel, Toronto
• Mike and Jeanne Reimer, Founders of Churchill Wild

UNDER-30 TOURISM TRAILBLAZER AWARD

Presented by Parks Canada

Recipients:

• Sierra Murray (Leduc County, AB)
• Eli Moscovitch (Bedford, NS)
• Justine Nadeau (Quebec City, QC)

These awards celebrate the success, leadership, and innovation of Canada's tourism industry, while recognizing those people, places, organizations, and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

For more information about the Canadian Tourism Awards and this year's winners, please contact TIAC as communications@tiac-aitc.ca

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