OTTAWA, December 2, 2015 - Fifteen organizations and individuals were honoured tonight by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) as recipients of the 2015 Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star.

The awards were presented earlier this evening in a ceremony at the Westin Ottawa Hotel.

"Tonight's awards have done an excellent job of representing our Canadian tourism industry to the fullest. I am honoured to be a part of recognizing the outstanding innovation, dedication and expertise all of our nominees and winners have put forward. It is crucial, not only that these accomplishments are recognized and celebrated, but that we learn from these successes to prepare for Canada's continued future as a world-class destination," said TIAC President and CEO, Charlotte Bell.

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.

The 2015 Winners are:

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada National Aboriginal Cultural Tourism Award
Vancouver Native Housing Society, Vancouver, BC

Air Canada Business of the Year Award
Rocky Mountaineer, Vancouver, BC

VIA Rail Canada Community Service Award
Gros Morne Cooperating Association, Rocky Harbour, NL

InterContinental Hotels Group Tourism Employee of the Year Award
Michelle Blakely, Tourism Moose Jaw, Moose Jaw, SK

InnVest REIT Tourism Employer of the Year Award
Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel, Saskatoon, SK

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Event of the Year Award
Canmore Uncorked, Canmore, AB

Brewster Travel Canada Innovator of the Year Award
RAW: almond, Winnipeg, MB

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Marketing Campaign of the Year Award
"Sculpted in Time" Banff Lake Louise Tourism, Banff, AB

The Federal-Provincial-Territorial Culture/Heritage And Tourism Initiative National Cultural Tourism Award
Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, MB

Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award
Camping Orléans, St-François-de-l'île-d'Orléans, QC

Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award
Jesse Cooke, Husky Bus, Dawson City, YT

WestJet Social Media Initiative of the Year Award
"International Hair Freezing Contest" Takhini Hot Pools, Whitehorse, YT

Transat AT Sustainable Tourism Award
Outer Shores Expeditions, Victoria, BC

VISA Canada Traveller Experience of the Year Award
Harbour Air Group, Richmond, BC

The 2015 Tourism Toronto Lifetime Achievement Award
Don Cudmore, Tourism Industry Association of Prince Edward Island, PE

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For more information, please contact:

Robert Taylor
Vice President, Public and Industry Affairs
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
rtaylor@tiac.travel
t: 613-238-6251
c: 613-716-5442