TIAC Announces Recipients of the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards

OTTAWA, November 24, 2011 - Fourteen organizations and individuals were honoured tonight by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) as recipients of the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by The Toronto Star.

The awards were presented earlier this evening at a gala ceremony at the Fairmont Chateau Laurier in Ottawa. 

"TIAC wishes to congratulate the fourteen recipients of the 2011 Canadian Tourism Awards," said TIAC President and CEO David Goldstein. "This outstanding group of individuals and organizations have demonstrated ingenuity, perseverence and determination on the path to success and are a testament to the strength of Canada's tourism industry.  We are very pleased to recognize them as organizations and individuals who help make Canada a world-class destination."

The 2011 recipients are:

(Note: Abridged biographies are available at  www.tiac.travel/awards/2011_recipients.htm)

Air Canada Business of the Year Award

  • CN Tower (Toronto, ON)

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

  • Meridian Reservation Systems (Niagara Falls, ON)

Delta Hotels and Resorts New Business of the Year Award

  • Ottawa Convention Centre (Ottawa, ON)

Deloitte Innovator of the Year Award

  • Stonehammer Geopark (Saint John, NB)

Corporate Partner of the Year Award

  • Waterfront Development Corporation (Halifax, NS)

Metro Toronto Convention Centre Event of the Year Award

  • Le Carnaval de Québec (Québec, QC)

Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Marketing Campaign of the Year Award

  • Find Yourself - Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism (NL)

WestJet Social Media Initiative of the Year Award

  • 48 Half Hours Contest - Newfoundland and Labrador Tourism (NL)

Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award

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

National Cultural Tourism Award

  • Celtic Colours International Festival (Cape Breton Island, NS)

CTHRC Award for Excellence in Human Resources Development

  • White Point Beach Resort (White Point, NS)

Traveller Experience Award

  • Le Village historique de Val-Jalbert (Chambord, QC)

Via Rail Canada Community Service Award

  • Le Buffet des Continents (Gatineau, Québec)

InterContinental Hotels Group Employee of the Year Award

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


About the Canadian Tourism Awards

The Canadian Tourism Awards allow Canada’s tourism industry to recognize those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada.

The 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 a superior tourism experience to travellers in Canada.

Since its inception in 2003, this gala evening has become a highlight of The Tourism Congress, TIAC’s annual convention. The Canadian Tourism Awards have also become the standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in the travel industry, showcasing the nation’s best tourism products, services and experiences.

For more information, please contact:

David Lauer, Manager, Communications
Tourism Industry Association of Canada
Phone: 613-238-9400
E-mail: