Excellence in Alberta tourism was celebrated (Monday night) with the presentation of the 2015 Alberta Tourism Awards, known as the “Altos.”
“The Alto Awards recognize and celebrate the achievements that contribute to a stronger Alberta,” said Honourable David Eggen, Minister of Alberta Culture and Tourism, via a special video presentation. “Congratulations to everyone here tonight for your excellent work promoting Alberta and delivering an exceptional visitor experience to travellers everywhere.”
The 2015 Alto Ambassador Award, sponsored by Calgary Airport Authority, recognizing an exceptional Albertan who has made an outstanding contribution to the Alberta tourism industry, was presented to Alida Visbach of Calgary.
Alto Award winners in nine other categories were also awarded:
Alberta Pride (Sponsored by Pomeroy Lodging):
- Sierra West Cabins & Ranch Vacations, Lundbreck
- (Finalists: Heritage Park Historical Village, Calgary; Fort McMurray Tourism, “Experience the Energy,” Fort McMurray)
Collaborative Tourism (Sponsored by Calgary Stampede):
- Canadian Badlands Passion Play, “Canadian Icons in the Canadian Badlands,” Drumheller
- (Finalists: Anderson Vacations, Calgary; Edmonton Destination Marketing Hotels & Edmonton Tourism, Edmonton)
Marketing Excellence (Up to $10,000) (Sponsored by Fort McMurray International Airport):
- Fort Edmonton Park, “Edmonton’s Story, Make It Yours,” Edmonton
- (Finalists: Rockies Heli Canada, “Rockiesheliyeah Instagram Influencer Campaign,” Canmore; Babas & Borshch Ukrainian Festival, Lamont County)
Marketing Excellence ($10,000-$50,000) (Sponsored by Calgary Hotel Association):
- Canadian Badlands Passion Play, “Canadian Icons in the Canadian Badlands,” Drumheller
- (Finalists: Edmonton Tourism, “Twitter Vending Machine,” Edmonton; Bragg Creek & Area Chamber of Commerce, Bragg Creek)
Marketing Excellence (Over $50,000) (Sponsored by Edmonton International Airport):
- Edmonton Tourism, “Red Bull Crashed Ice,” Edmonton
- (Finalists: Banff Lake Louise Tourism “Sculpted in Time,” Banff; Brewster Travel Canada, “Epic Made Easy,” Banff)
Marketing Partnership (Sponsored by Alberta Hotel & Lodging Association):
- Chinook Country Tourist Association, “Southern Alberta Circle Tours Campaign,” Chinook Country
- (Finalists: Tourism Calgary & Banff Lake Louise Tourism, “Rockies Through Your Eyes”; Tri Region Tourism, “Tri Us,” Town of Stony Plain)
Outstanding Sustainable Tourism (Sponsored by Parks Canada):
- Taber Pheasant Festival, Alberta Conservation Association, Sherwood Park
- (Finalists: River Café, Calgary; Hyatt Regency Calgary, Calgary)
Service Excellence (Sponsored by Lethbridge Lodging Association):
- Tourism Jasper Visitor Information Centre, Jasper
- (Finalists: Sunshine Village Ski & Snowboard Resort, Banff; Alpine Village Resort, Jasper)
Tourism Media (Sponsored by Northlands):
- Jody Robbins, “Banff’s New Iron Road Tests Your Mettle”
- (Finalists: Crai S. Bower, “Into the Snow Globe”; Dalene & Pete Heck, “From Extinction to Alberta: The Bison’s Tale”)
The 2015 Alto finalists were determined by a team of 27 industry volunteer judges through independent evaluations of submissions. Judges’ scores were then tabulated through PricewaterhouseCoopers to determine the winners.
The 2015 Alto Awards Gala was sponsored by the Calgary Herald, the Edmonton Journal and Global Television in Edmonton and Calgary.
For background stories on the Alto winners and finalists, please visit the Travel Alberta Industry Website.