New Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award announced for the 2014 Canadian Tourism Awards

New award will highlight the achievements of young entrepreneurs in the tourism industry

OTTAWA, Sept. 30, 2014 /CNW/ - The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, together with David Goldstein, President and CEO of the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), today announced the creation of a new award category for the 2014 Canadian Tourism Awards aimed at recognizing young entrepreneurs and their outstanding contributions to the tourism industry.

The Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award honours individuals under 32 years of age who demonstrate a passion for tourism; participate in the tourism field in a variety of possible activities; show ambition when it comes to promoting tourism in their region; and inspire other youth.

Nominations will be accepted online at http://tiac.travel/cgi/page.cgi/nominate.htm?action=pv_view_call&call_id=27 until October 24, 2014. Recipients of this prestigious award will be announced at the 2014 Canadian Tourism Awards Gala on November 26, 2014 in Ottawa, Ontario.

Quick Facts

• The Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award recognizes outstanding contributions by young entrepreneurs to the tourism industry, including promoting Canada as a quality destination, ensuring an exceptional visitor experience, and fostering a professional tourism industry.
  
  
• The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by the TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations, and events that have gone above and beyond to offer travellers superior tourism experiences in Canada.
  
  
• The Canadian Tourism Awards have become a standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in the travel industry, showcasing the nation's best tourism products, services, and experiences.
  
  
• Parks Canada is the largest provider of historic and natural heritage tourism in Canada, and manages a network of 44 national parks, 167 national historic sites, and four national marine conservation areas.

Quotes

"I am pleased to announce the creation of the Parks Canada Youth Tourism Entrepreneur Award. As we near Canada's 150^th birthday in 2017, our Government would like to celebrate the accomplishments of young entrepreneurs in the field of tourism who, every day, inspire Canadians and others abroad to engage in personal moments of discovery by helping them connect to our country's natural and historic places."

The Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Minister of the Environment and Minister responsible for Parks Canada

"Our Government recognizes the importance of the tourism industry for Canada's economic growth. With this new award, we celebrate the young entrepreneurs that are working hard to contribute to the success of this industry and are enhancing Canada's reputation as one of the world's premier tourism destinations."

The Honourable Maxime Bernier, Minister of State (Small Business and Tourism)( Agriculture)

"Travel and tourism is an industry fuelled by entrepreneurship and adventure and is Canada's largest employer of youth under the age of 25. TIAC is pleased to partner with Parks Canada in celebrating the accomplishments of the youth entrepreneurs who represent the future of our industry's creativity, innovation and competitiveness."   

David Goldstein, President and CEO Tourism Industry Association of Canada

Associated Links

2014 Canadian Tourism Awards:
http://tiac.travel/cgi/page.cgi/awards.htm

Tourism Industry Association of Canada:
www.tiac.travel

Parks Canada:
www.parkscanada.gc.ca

SOURCE: Parks Canada

Media Relations, Parks Canada, 855-862-1812, www.twitter.com/parkscanada; Rob Taylor, VP Industry and Public Affairs, TIAC, 613-716-5442, www.twitter.com/TIAC_AITC