The Tourism Industry Association of Canada will welcome three iconic tourism industry builders as the latest inductees to the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame and a fourth as recipient of its prestigious Lifetime Achievement Award next month.  The honorees will be recognized on November 21, 2012 during the Tourism Congress at a ceremony attended by Maxime Bernier, Minister of State, Small Business and Tourism.

The 2012 Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame honorees are:

• Rick Antonson, President & CEO of Tourism Vancouver
• Klaus W. Roth, Tourism Marketing Strategist in the Northwest Territories, Yukon, and Alberta (posthumous)
• Gilbert Rozon, Founder of Just For Laughs, Television Personality and Quebec Tourism Industry Icon

TIAC will also bestow the visionary Chris Cahill, Executive Vice President of Global Operations for Las Vegas Sands Corp. with its Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Tourism Toronto.

"We are very proud to recognize the outstanding achievements of these tourism industry pioneers," said TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein. "Their dedication and passion for the tourism industry served as their foundation for success in Canada's travel and tourism industry. Their contributions have helped to shape our sector as a vibrant contributor to our economy, and welcoming destination for visitors from around the world."

Created in 2006 by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada, the Canadian Tourism Hall of Fame, presented by Air Canada and Deloitte publicly recognizes those individuals that have made tourism an important part of their life's work and whose actions have had a positive impact on the industry they serve.

The Lifetime Achievement Award, presented by Tourism Toronto recognizes an individual who has made a significant contribution of energy, service and talent towards the growth of the Canadian tourism industry, through volunteer work, service or business accomplishments.  Focusing on tourism building, the recipient demonstrates leadership, vision and innovation built on a solid foundation of strong values and sound business strategies.

Honourees are voted on by TIAC's Board of Directors, based on recommendations from TIAC's membership.

To learn more about this year's honorees, please click here.