ITAC has released the categories for this year’s Aboriginal Tourism Awards, which will be awarded at the finale of the 2017 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference co-hosted by the Tsuut’ina Nation, in Calgary, Alberta, on their traditional land in Treaty 7 Territory. The awards are divided into two categories: province of Alberta awards, available to Alberta-based nominees and national awards, for anyone across Canada.
Nominee businesses must be majority Indigenous owned/controlled and be located within Canada.
ALBERTA AWARDS
- Indoor Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
Exceptional delivery of cultural knowledge and guest experience at Indigenous Cultural Centres, Museums, Galleries, Retail Stores, Food Establishments, Entertainments Centres and Spa/Retreats. - Outdoor Aboriginal Cultural Experiences
Exceptional knowledge and delivery of an Indigenous cultural experience and/or adventure in an outdoor environment through Outdoor Adventure, Wildlife Viewing and Outdoor Guided Tours. - Lodging
Excellent lodging experience for guests while incorporating Indigenous themes, design elements and/or cultural experiences at Hotels, Motels, Accommodations, Cabins, Campgrounds, Lodges. - Artists & Events
Exceptional skill, technique and cultural representation from an artist/performer/performance group or through a special cultural event or festival delivered by Artists, Performers and Performance Groups, Special Events, Festivals.
NATIONAL AWARDS
- Best Marketing Campaign
Indigenous tourism business or organization who has planned and activated an effective marketing campaign or program showing real results towards specific goals using any or all of paid, earned, shared or owned media. - Most Improved Business
Indigenous tourism business who has significantly improved their market/export readiness allowing for a stronger business opportunity and increased their ability to professionally demonstrate Indigenous tourism’s ability to meet and exceed consumer and travel trade expectations. - Most Inspiring Cultural Ambassador
A representative of an Indigenous business or organization who inspires those around them in the way they represent their culture with visitors, who leads by example and who provides guidance and mentorship to those also looking to find their path towards representing their culture to visitors and guests. - Adventure Award – Presented by ATTA
This award will be presented to a business who recognizes best practices in Indigenous Adventure travel with a focus on responsibility and sustainability: demonstrating effective sustainable management, maximizing social and economic benefits to the local community and minimizing negative impacts, maximizing benefits to cultural heritage and minimizing negative impacts and maximizing benefits to the environment and minimizing negative impacts. The winner of this award will also receive a scholarship to attend the AdventureELEVATE conference in Banff, Alberta (March, 2018).
Many of you know amazing businesses, entrepreneurs and people leading the way for Indigenous tourism in Canada (or maybe it’s you!) Please consider nominating yourself or someone else, or passing this information along to others in your networks. Businesses can be nominated in multiple categories!
Deadline for nominations is October 31st, 2017 @ 4:30 PST
Online nomination forms can be found on the IATC-Canada.ca website. The application is very easily completed. Click the link below to nominate someone now!
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