It’s been a big year for tourism in Canada. Travel from the United States is up to the tune of 10 per cent while overseas arrivals have grown by 8.7 per cent. Certainly, a weak Canadian dollar and low gas prices have had a lot to do with marketing Canada as an affordable destination. But that same weak Canadian dollar has also forced tourism industry marketers to do more with less.

Read more: Canadian Tourism Benefitting from Low Canadian Dollar

This week, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) came together to honour the biggest and brightest of its tourism industry stars. Fourteen organizations and individuals were recognized at the 2016 Canadian Tourism Awards presented in partnership with The Toronto Star.

"Tonight's Canadian Tourism Awards have showcased our diverse industry to the fullest,” said TIAC President and CEO, Charlotte Bell. “Myself and everyone at TIAC are honoured to recognize the outstanding innovation, dedication and expertise all of our nominees and winners have put forward. Recognizing and celebrating these accomplishments is very important, as these industry successes ensure that Canada continues to be seen as a world-class destination."

Among the honourees is the Headwaters Parade of Horses, which won the Visa Innovator of the Year Award. This program features a series of 28 whimsical fibreglass horses located throughout the Ontario region known as Headwaters Horse Country, which is Canada’s most concentrated equestrian area.

Also among the best of the best, Fort William Historical Park in Thunder Bay Ontario, was selected as the Parks Canada National Cultural Tourism Award. Fort William, the world’s largest fur trading post, was selected by Parks Canada for its commitment to visitor satisfaction and for its social impact.

"Parks Canada and its team members are custodians of Canada's treasure chest of irreplaceable natural and cultural heritage, and we are pleased to recognize Fort William Historical Park as an important and vibrant part of Ontario's and Canada's cultural richness,” said Daniel Watson, chief executive officer of Parks Canada. “Parks Canada is proud to be part of Canada's tourism industry; together we help Canadians celebrate and protect their national treasures, build Canada's reputation as a destination of choice for visitors from around the world, and grow opportunities for sustainable local economies."

In Manitoba, adventure operator Churchill Wild, known for its unique polar bear excursions was designated the Brewster Travel Canada Adventure Outdoor Award. Last year, Churchill Wild’s Seal River Heritage Lodge became a member of National Geographic Unique Lodges of the World collection of properties.

A bellman with nearly 50 years service at the same hotel property earned the Tourism HR Canada Tourism Employee of the Year Award. Dan Cardinal began working at the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel Saskatoon when he was 18 years old. Now, 47 ½ years later, he is become a popular frontman for the hotel.

“We are so proud to have Dan Cardinal recognized for his extraordinary efforts every day for our guests at Sheraton Cavalier Hotel,” said Dale Grant, general manager of the Sheraton Cavalier Hotel. “He is well known by locals, frequent travellers and ‘Rider fans. He is at the front line of our hotel operations always lending a helping hand, a friendly smile and extending a warm greeting to our guests.”

In Atlantic Canada, Experience PEI earned the Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award. Prince Edward Island, where tourism contributes 6.4 per cent of the entire provincial GDP—the highest ratio in Canada—saw more visitors in the first three-quarters of 2016, than they did for all of 2015, a year that also broke tourism records.

Read more: Sunny outlook for PEI Tourism

All 2016 Winners

The Air Canada Business of the Year Award
Brentwood Bay Resort and Spa, Victoria, BC

The Visa Canada Innovator of the Year Award
Headwaters Parade of Horses, Mono, ON

The VIA Rail Canada Community Outreach Award
Great Wolf Lodge, Niagara Falls, ON

The Transat AT Sustainable Tourism Award
Eagle Wing Tours Ltd., Victoria, BC

The Parks Canada National Cultural Tourism Award
Fort William Historical Park, Thunder Bay, ON

The Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada National Aboriginal (Indigenous) Cultural Tourism Award
Wanuskewin Heritage Park, Saskatoon, SK

The Brewster Travel Canada Adventure/Outdoor Award 
Churchill Wild, Churchill, MB

The Restaurants Canada Culinary Tourism Experience Award
Alberta Culinary Tourism Alliance, Calgary, AB

The WestJet Social Media/Digital Marketing Initiative of the Year Award
"Paint the Town" contest Newfoundland and Labrador, St. John's, NL

The Fairmont Hotels & Resorts Marketing Campaign of the Year Award
"Where Am I?" Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership, Toronto, ON

The Hilton Worldwide Small or Medium-Sized Business of the Year Award
Experience PEI, Stratford, PE

The Metro Toronto Convention Centre Event of the Year Award
Canadian Soccer Association: FIFA Women's World Cup Canada 2015, National

The Tourism HR Canada Tourism Employee of the Year Award
Dan Cardinal, Sheraton Cavalier Saskatoon Hotel, Saskatoon, SK

The 2016 Tourism Toronto Lifetime Achievement Award
Jack Robinson, CN Tower, Toronto, ON

Read more: Fifteen Canadian Organizations Take Top Honours (2015)

The Canadian Tourism Awards were established in 2003 and are presented annually by TIAC.

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