rtO3 ANNUAL TOURISM AWARDS PROGRAM
The annual RTO3 Tourism Awards Recognition Program celebrates the outstanding achievements of individuals, organizations, and businesses that drive innovation, collaboration, and sustainability in our tourism sector.
The program opens for applications and nominations each fall, with submissions closing in mid-January. Awards are juried in February, and winners are recognized at our annual Southern Ontario Tourism Conference in early March. All finalists are invited the Conference and award recipients will be honoured during the Awards Dinner.
The program recognizes excellence in key categories each year. Our categories included:
Innovation Award – Honouring creative approaches that enhance visitor experiences and strengthen our region’s tourism offerings.
Partnership & Collaboration Award – Celebrating initiatives that demonstrate the power of teamwork and strategic partnerships to achieve greater success and impact.
Sustainable Tourism Award – Highlighting projects and practices that reflect a commitment to environmental stewardship, community well-being, and long-term sustainability.
Join us in celebrating the remarkable contributions shaping the future of tourism in Hamilton Halton Brant by nominating a worthy candidate. Self-nominations are welcome and encouraged.
Nominations for the 2025 Awards Program will open fall 2025. Subscribe to our newsletters and follow our industry profiles on LinkedIn and Instagram for updates on the 2025 program.
2024 AWARD Recipients
Innovative New Experience or Product Development Award
Hess Village – Hess Winter Village
This award recognizes a tourism business or organization that has demonstrated innovation in developing a new or enhanced tourism product or visitor experience. The new offering should be tourism focused, open to the public and contribute to a better regional visitor experience.
Partnership & Collaboration Award
Royal Botanical Gardens – WinterTide
This award recognizes a partnered initiative (including a tourism experience, product or marketing campaign) that successfully attracts and encourages visitors to experience Hamilton Halton Brant. Partnerships can include collaboration with private or public sector entities.
Sustainable Tourism Award
Summit Station Dairy & Creamery
Sustainability is a deciding factor for more and more visitors when choosing their travel experiences. This award recognizes demonstrated innovation from tourism industry partners/organizations who are leading the way in encouraging sustainable tourism.
Learn about our past winners
Innovative Tourism Award
Hamilton Chamber of Commerce Hamilton Day 2023
Partnership and Collaboration Award
Tourism Hamilton
Your Summer Playground 2023 Marketing Campaign
Sustainable Tourism Award
Conservation Halton
Winterlit at Mountsberg 2023
OTHER TOURISM AWARDS PROGRAMS
Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence
The Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario (TIAO) celebrate success and recognize those who have made outstanding contributions to Ontario’s tourism industry.
Canadian Tourism Awards
The Canadian Tourism Awards, presented by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), recognizes the best and brightest in Canada’s tourism industry. From outstanding teams and organizations to individual luminaries who surpass all expectations, exemplifying a commitment to provide nothing short of exceptional tourism experiences from coast to coast to coast.