2026 Award Finalists & Winners
Congratulations to the 2026 BC Tourism Industry Award finalists and winners!
We would like to thank everyone who submitted nominations for this year’s award categories - your support helps highlight the incredible talent and contributions within our community.
We celebrated the outstanding finalists and honoured the winners on Thursday, March 5, at the Delta Hotels Grand Okanagan Resort during the annual BC Tourism Industry Awards Gala.
Thank you again to all the finalists and winners for their exceptional contributions!
2026 BC Tourism Industry Awards Gala
Proudly Sponsored by:
2026 BC Tourism Industry Awards
Indigenous Operator or Experience
This award recognizes Indigenous tourism businesses that demonstrate authenticity, cultivate a greater understanding of Indigenous culture, history and traditions, and contribute to the resilience of the local Indigenous community.
Finalists
Takaya Tours
Best Western Tin Wis Resort
Tse'k'wa Heritage Society
Winner
Tse'k'wa Heritage Society
Sustainability Excellence
This award recognizes an individual, organization or consortium operating in British Columbia who has championed the implementation and/or education of sustainable and regenerative practices in their tourism operation. This category will celebrate those who have made a commitment (big or small) to working on goals and actions aligned with one or more of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Spirit Bear Lodge
Tayaka Tours
Science World (ASTC Science World Society)
Finalists
Winner
Spirit Bear Lodge
Employees First
This award recognizes a British Columbia tourism industry employer who has upheld high standards of excellence in human resource practices, with a specific focus on mental health & wellness.
Parkside Hotel & Spa
Inn at Laurel Point
Nimmo Bay Resort
Finalists
Winner
Inn at Laurel Point
Tourism Business Person of the Year
This award celebrates an individual who has demonstrated exceptional leadership, professionalism, and commitment to advancing British Columbia’s tourism industry.
It honours someone whose vision, resilience, and impact have contributed to the growth, innovation, and integrity of the sector — inspiring peers and strengthening the communities they serve.
Finalists
Norm Coyne, FanCon Society
Doug Bell, Northern Lights Estate Winery
Jill Doucette, Synergy Enterprises
Winner
Jill Doucette, Synergy Enterprises
Remarkable Experience
This award recognizes an individual, organization or consortium that has developed, delivered, promoted and sold a new or improved tourism product or experience in 2024 that reflects the British Columbia tourism brand and contributes to a remarkable visitor experience.
A remarkable experience is one that triggers a consumer to share via word of mouth (including social media) their positive vacation experience; one that exceeds expectations.
Finalists
Kingfisher Pacific Resort & Spa
Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Tyax Adventures
Winner
Nk'Mip Desert Cultural Centre
Innovation
This award recognizes an individual, organization or consortium that has embraced the opportunity to think outside the box and develop an innovative project, initiative, service experience or campaign that pushes the limits of how the tourism sectors have traditionally operated.
Finalists
Kingfisher Pacific Resort and Spa
CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures
Spinal Cord Injury BC
Winner
CMH Heli-Skiing and Summer Adventures
Culinary & Agritourism Experience
This award honours a business that provides an outstanding, authentic consumer experience by exemplifying BC’s foodways, highlighting local ingredients, and strengthening BC’s standing as a premier culinary and agritourism destination for high-quality tourism experiences.
Finalists
The Cove at Kaay Llnagaay
Locality Brewing
Tourism Richmond
Winner
Locality Brewing
Community Contribution & Impact
This award recognizes an individual, organization or consortium that has demonstrated social responsibility through efforts to enhance social and cultural impact, help foster collaboration, and build resiliency in the community.
Finalists
Songhees Tours
Aboriginal Affects Consulting
Tourism Kamloops
Winner
Aboriginal Affects Consulting
Inclusive & Accessible Tourism Experience
This award recognizes an individual, organization or consortium operating in British Columbia that has made a significant contribution toward creating inclusive and/or accessible tourism experiences for everyone. Through established initiatives and actions, nominees have demonstrated commitment to supporting accessibility, diversity, equity and inclusion within their operations, products, services and experiences.
Finalists
Malahat SkyWalk
Tourism Nanaimo
Vancouver's North Shore Tourism Association
Winner
Vancouver's North Shore Tourism Association
Professional Excellence, DMO
or Sector Association
The Professional Excellence Award recognizes a community DMO or Sector Association for their demonstration of leadership, innovation, accountability and collaboration with the tourism industry in British Columbia. This DMO or Sector Association is a proven leader, an example of professionalism and best practices, and has provided measurable value to its members, as well as the local and provincial tourism industry.
Tourism Terrace
Tourism Kelowna
Tourism Prince George
Finalists
Winner
Tourism Prince George
