January 13, 2022

Reposted from the Heart of Ontario

HHBRTA has launched its Regional Tourism Award Recognition Program for a second year to recognize regional tourism business development contributions made in 2021. This program has been developed to celebrate the ingenuity and spirit of community. This Awards program was design to showcase regional tourism industry operators who have developed note-worthy achievements and contributions made to the Ontario and Canadian economy.

This Program has three award categories (see below for full details). In addition, there is a monetary prize component for each Award Category. A $500.00 Honorarium will be part of the recognition elements that an Award Recipient will receive with a criteria that the money must be invested back into the business to support the operator in their business resiliency efforts.

Award Categories Include:

  • Innovative New Experience or Product Development Award: ­This Award recognizes a tourism business/organization that has demonstrated innovation in the development of a new or enhanced tourism product or visitor experience to appeal to the local tourism audience in pandemic times and contributes to the regional visitor experience brand. The new offering helps the business operator be resilient or enhance their business in pandemic times in the Hamilton Halton Brant Region.
  • Partnership and Collaboration Award: This Award recognizes a partnered initiative (including a tourism experience, product, marketing campaign) that successfully attracts and encourages locals/visitors to experience the Hamilton Halton Brant region.  Partnerships can include collaborations with private and/or public sector entities.  
  • Responsible Tourism Award: Sustainability is becoming a deciding factor for the visitor when choosing their travel experiences. This Award recognizes demonstrated innovation from tourism industry partners/organizations who are leading the way to proactively consider environmental impacts to encourage sustainable tourism. 

The Nomination process covers initiatives/activities that occurred from January to December 2021.  If the initiative is applicable, nominations in more than one category for multiple award submissions are welcome. The Application deadline: January 28th 2022.

The Awards will be announced on March 8-9, 2022 at this years first joint tourism conference: 2022 Southern Ontario Tourism Conference.