TIAC reveals award finalists

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) has unveiled the finalists for the 2012 Canadian Tourism Awards. 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 travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada. “The finalists for the Canadian Tourism Awards represent an inspiring group of people and organizations that consistently create extraordinary tourism experiences,”says TIAC president David Goldstein. “They are veritable Canadian business leaders that actively drive economic growth and create jobs each and every day through their hard work and dedication. The industry congratulates them on this outstanding achievement.”The awards will be presented at a gala dinner ceremony at the Hilton Lac-Leamy in Gatineau, Quebec on Nov. 20. The 2012 finalists are: !!! The Air Canada Business of the Year Award: Canalta Hotels, Alberta and Saskatchewan; Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver; Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ont. !!! The Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-sized Business of the Year Award: Au Diable Vert, Glen Sutton, Que.; Fresh Tracks Canada, Vancouver; Tourism Victoria, Victoria, BC. !!! The Deloitte Innovator of the Year Award: Cliffwalk at Capilano Suspension Bridge Park, North Vancouver; EdgeWalk at the CN Tower, Toronto; Nordik Spa-Nature, Chelsea, Que.; The Long Point Eco Adventure Centre, St. Williams, Ont. !!! The Metro Toronto Convention Centre Event of the Year Award: Calgary Stampede, Calgary; Canadian Music Fest, Toronto; POP Montréal International Music Festival, Montreal; Royal Nova Scotia International Tattoo, Halifax. !!! The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Marketing Campaign of the Year Award: Publicitas Navigate – Canada For the Fun of It!; Tourism Saskatchewan – Embrace a New Place; Travel Alberta – Winter Sport in Alberta. !!! The WestJet Social Media Initiative of the Year Award: Ottawa Tourism, Ottawa – Treats McFadden Contest; Rocky Mountaineer, Alberta and BC; Tourism Richmond & Think! Social Media, Richmond, BC – 365 Days of Dining; Tourism Victoria, Victoria, BC – Escape Your Everyday. !!! The Parks Canada Sustainable Tourism Award: Bluewater Adventures, North Vancouver; Maple Leaf Adventures, Victoria, BC; Parkbus, Toronto and environs, Ont. !!! The InterContinental Hotels Group Employee of the Year Award: Geneviève Lefebvre, Auberge du Lac Taureau, Saint-Michel des Saints, Quebec; Gregor Waters, Northern Edge Algonquin, South River, Ont.; Jenny Wilkins, Sheraton Hamilton Hotel, Hamilton, Ont. !!! The National Cultural Tourism Award: Arviat Community Ecotourism Initiative, Arviat, Nunavut; Celtic Colours International Festival, Sydney & Area, Nova Scotia; Royal Canadian Pacific, Calgary. !!! The CTHRC Award for Excellence in Human Resources Development: Gold Eagle Casino, North Battleford, Sask.; Gold Eagle Lodge, North Battleford, Sask.; Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, Ont. !!! The Via Rail Canada Community Service Award: Holiday Inn Kitchener, Kitchener, Ont.; Homewood Suites by Hilton Cambridge/Waterloo, Cambridge, Ont.; Tourism Toronto’s Relax, Recharge, Renew Program, Toronto; Winnipeg Airports Authority, Winnipeg. !!! The Delta Hotels & Resorts Traveller Experience Award: CMH Summer Adventures, Banff, Alta.; Heritage Park Historical Village, Calgary, Alta.; Winnipeg Airports Authority, Winnipeg.