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Tourism Awards

The City of St. honours the very best in the tourism industry at an Annual Tourism Awards Ceremony in May. Nominations should be submitted for those who have made a contribution to the tourism industry from January to December of the previous year.

2021 Awards Update
The COVID-19 pandemic was a challenging year for the tourism industry. As a result of significant challenges and impacts on the tourism industry, the City of St. John’s has modified the presentation of the Tourism Awards, for the 2021 year, to present only the pinnacle Legend award. Nominate a deserving person/group by completing and submitting the Tourism Award Nomination Form. Deadline for nominations is March 31, 2022.

Legend Award
This pinnacle award recognizes the individual or group who has made significant contributions to the enhancement of tourism in St. John’s. The nominee will have achieved this through one or more of the following:

  • Increasing the profile of the City provincially, regionally, nationally, or internationally.
  • Advancing the unique cultural, historical and natural heritage of the City.
  • Contributing to the long term sustainability, growth and development of the St. John’s Tourism industry.
  • Commitment to excellence through their work or volunteer efforts.

Event of the Year Award
Presented to the group or organization who, through the production of an event, best exemplifies the spirit of St. John’s and generates tourism visitation to the St. John’s region. The event must have occurred in the past year
and should meet one or more of the following:

  • Celebrated traditions unique to the City.
  • Effectively marketed the City through the event.
  • Celebrated the culture of the City.
  • Promoted the history/heritage of the City.

Sport Tourism Award
Presented to the individual, group or organization who, through the hosting of a sporting event has made significant contributions to the tourism industry in St. John’s. The event must have occurred in the past year and
should meet one or more of the following:

  • Increasing the profile of the City provincially, regionally, nationally or internationally.
  • Effectively marketed the City through the event.
  • Generate revenue for the local economy (ie. Restaurants, accommodations, transportation).

Signal Award
Presented to the individual, group or company who has made significant contributions to the evolution and sustainability of the cruise ship industry in St. John’s. The nominee will have achieved this through one or more
of the following:

  • Recognized as a true ambassador for the City.
  • Provided profile to the celebrated traditions, culture and unique heritage of the City.
  • Contributed to the profile of St. John’s through effective marketing and promotional activities.
  • Demonstrated a continued commitment to provision of quality service.

Discovery Award
This award acknowledges an individual, business, attraction, event, or community organization that offers new or innovative tourism-related products, services, or activities which enhance the St. John’s tourism industry. The
nominee will have achieved this through one or more of the following:

  • Recognized for making an important contribution to the tourism industry in St. John’s through a new, smaller or emerging event, business, attraction or community organization.
  • Recognition as burgeoning player(s) in the industry who provides new-on-the-scene and outside-the-box experiences that are a valuable part of the fabric of St. John’s tourism.
  • Recognize those who provide visitors to St. John’s with a unique and/or superior experience through a new product, business, event, service or activity.

Destination St. John’s Award of Distinction
Attracting meetings/conferences/events is very competitive and often takes significant commitment and effort of local groups or individuals to win the bid to host. The Destination St. John’s Award of Distinction therefore recognizes the work of a local planning committee or individual who was instrumental in bringing the meeting/conference/event to St. John’s.

  • The work of the committee or individual will have been judged as prominent in the decision to choose St. John’s as the location for the meeting/conference/event.
  • The meeting/conference/event must be regional, national or international and bring substantial economic benefit to the area by way of overnight accommodation nights sold.
  • Guest programs and pre and post experiences should be offered to delegates as part of the meeting/conference/event.
  • The profile of St. John’s, the region and the province should be heightened by hosting the meeting/conference/event.
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