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.

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Provide a brief overview of the nominee’s Indigenous cultural product, service or experience offered to visitors/guests.

• Describe the business health and long-term viability of the nominated experience.

• Describe the business’ customer service philosophy/values and how customer satisfaction and areas for improvement are measured and tracked.

• Describe how the tourism business works collaboratively between Indigenous people, the tourism industry, governments and the broader community.

• Describe how the tourism business contributes directly or indirectly to the sustainability of the local Indigenous community and preserves and protects the community traditions

Category-specific Eligibility

• Nominees must be majority Indigenous-owned/controlled, doing business in British Columbia in 2024, and provide tourism or hospitality experiences and/or related services.

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).

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Describe the nominee’s commitment to sustainable and regenerative initiatives within the tourism industry.

• Describe how these initiatives are aligned with one or more of the UN Sustainable Development Goals.

• Describe how the nominee’s initiatives protect, enhance and improve assets to guarantee a prosperous future (natural, economic or social).

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. This award is awarded to an organization/employer, not an individual.

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• How would you describe the organizational culture of the nominated organization? How do the organization’s vision, values and leadership practices contribute to creating a positive work environment?

• What initiatives, policies, and procedures are in place to support and promote employee mental health and wellness in the workplace? (e.g. leadership commitment, training, clear expectations etc.).

• How does the nominated organization demonstrate ongoing commitment to supporting and improving psychological health and safety? Please provide as many specific examples as possible (e.g. periodic employee surveys, health & safety committee agenda, training etc.).

• To what extent have the nominated organization’s HR and OHS practices impacted its ability to attract and retain staff? Please provide as many quantifiable indicators as possible (such as staff turnover and/or retention rates, customer satisfaction scores, employee survey metrics, injury and claims data etc.).

Category-specific Eligibility

• Must not have accrued any penalties under the workers' compensation legislation in the last five years

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.

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Business Excellence and Industry Impact: Describe how the nominee’s leadership has driven measurable business success, such as growth, innovation, profitability, operational excellence, or market reputation, and how this success contributes to BC’s tourism industry.

• Leadership and Professional Excellence: Describe how the nominee demonstrates leadership, expertise, and professionalism in their role, including examples of mentorship, innovation, or strategic direction.

• Empowerment and Workplace Culture: Describe how the nominee fosters an inclusive, equitable, and supportive workplace, championing individuals, promoting diversity, or advancing opportunities for others.

• Community and Legacy: Describe how the nominee’s work has created lasting benefit for their local community or contributed to the broader reputation and sustainability of BC’s tourism industry.

Category-specific Eligibility

• Note: While this award originated as “Tourism Woman of the Year,” it now recognizes all professionals making a meaningful contribution to the sector.

• Must have a minimum of 3 years of experience in the industry.

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.

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Describe how the nominee demonstrates leadership in their commitment to social responsibility and/or impact.

• Describe the nominee’s tangible impact on the local community and the broader tourism industry.

• Describe how the nominee works collaboratively with the tourism industry, governments and stakeholders in the broader community.

• Describe how the nominee is creating a lasting positive impact within the community.

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.

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Describe how the nominee excels in providing an inclusive and/or accessible tourism and/or hospitality product, service, or experience.

• Describe how the nominee has demonstrated excellence in reducing barriers for guests, from equity deserving groups, to participate in their business. Equity deserving groups include women, Indigenous Peoples, persons of colour, persons with disabilities, and/or persons who identify as a part of the LGBTQI2AS+ community.

• Describe the measures used to ensure the products, services and/experiences meet the needs of a diverse range of visitors.

• Describe the nominee's commitment to supporting diversity, equity, inclusion and accessibility. What initiatives are in place?

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

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Describe the nominee’s remarkable experience. What makes this experience uniquely remarkable?

• Describe the strength of the nominated experience: its financial performance, strategic advantages, relation to the BC Tourism Brand and long-term viability.

• Provide evidence of positive consumer perspective on the experience (e.g., online reviews, social media engagements etc.)

• Discuss how the nominee succeeds in providing consistently memorable visitor/ guest experiences and exceeds visitor/guest expectations. What systems or processes are in place?

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.  

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel.  Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Innovation – In the last year, what has the DMO or Sector Association accomplished that was innovative.

• Accountability – How does the DMO or Sector Association demonstrate its accountability to its members and/or stakeholders and the industry?

• Collaboration – How has the DMO or Sector Association collaborated with other regions, sectors or industry partners to achieve shared goals.

• Competitiveness – How has the DMO increased visitation in a profitable way?

• Advocacy - How has the Sector Association resolved issues that affect BC’s visitor economy.

• Performance Reporting – What systems does the DMO or Sector Association have in place to track and measure performance?

• Industry Advancement/Involvement – How did the DMO or Sector Association demonstrate leadership to advance the tourism industry?

Category-specific Eligibility

• The Award is open to any community-based DMO who has been a member of the BC DMO Association in 2024, or is a TIABC member Sector Association.

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. 

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel. Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Describe the innovative product/initiative/campaign and its objectives. 

• Describe the strategies and tactics that were used in successfully delivering the campaign/ initiative. Highlight how they were new or innovative.

• Describe the impact and results of this innovation.

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.

Nomination Requirements

Please address each of the following criteria in your nomination submission, limiting this to approximately 250 words per question in order to be consistent for the judging panel.  Bullet point responses are acceptable.

• Describe the culinary/agritourism experience. What makes this experience remarkable, and how does it authentically represent BC's food and beverage culture?

• Explain how the business demonstrates innovation in showcasing authentic culinary/agritourism experiences within their region or destination.

• Illustrate how the experience exemplifies BC as an international culinary/agritourism destination. How does it contribute to promoting BC’s reputation on a global scale?

• Describe the ways in which the nominee promotes quality BC food or drink products. Highlight any partnerships with local producers or initiatives to elevate BC products.

• Discuss the nominee’s contributions to promoting regional culinary/agritourism experiences. How does this experience support and enhance local tourism within BC’s diverse regions?

• Provide evidence of positive consumer feedback (e.g., online reviews, social media engagement, testimonials). How have guests responded to this experience?

• Explain how the nominee consistently delivers exceptional guest experiences. Describe any systems, processes, or unique service elements that ensure a memorable experience that exceeds visitor expectations.