The voting and judging complete,  the winners were   revealed in  the five  categories  at the 2013 British Annual Canada Travel Awards (BACTA)  at yesterdays event at 30 Pavilion Road.

UK travel agents vote  in one category  to recognize excellence in promoting Canada. Finalists in the category  of Favourite Tour Operator to Canada (winner in red)

Favourite Tour Operator (trade voted)

1st Class Holidays

Travel 2

Prestige Holidays

Sharon Mason  from the tour operator collected the polar bear trophy.

Favourite Ski Operator  ( consumer voted)

In a change from previous years the count on Favourite Ski operator went to the consumer with   members of the public signed up to the CTC enewsletter being invited to vote .  Finalists in this category are:

Canadian Affair

Inghams

Ski Independence

Louise Newton collected the trophy on Inghams behalf.

Media nominations are invited for submission from media, editors,  and PR's with a group of judges coming together in  late October to judge the best. The CTC holds no vote in this category.

Best Media Coverage (judged)

Bertie Gregory                         BBC Wildlife Magazine

Ian  Belcher                             Financial Times 

Adrian Philips                           National Geographic

Bertie Gregory picked up the polar bear trophy, presented to him by Ms. Nim Singh, Media and PR Manager for the CTC in the UK.

The fourth category recognized excellence amongst tour operators in promoting Canada and is judged by the Canadian Tourism Commission London office.  The Keep Exploring Award for 2013 was presented to Canadian Affair for their " all round consistent year round promotion of Canada". Specifics mentioned included their Fall in Love with Canada tv campaign, their Michael Buble Magic FM radio campaign and their You Can Do Canada campaign.

Aoife Judge collected the  award on behalf of Canadian Affair, presented by the Regional Managing Director of the CTC , Mr. Rupert Peters.

 In  2013 an award was also made for an Outstanding Contribution to the Promotion of Canada. Mr. Alan Hubbard , former director and owner of All Canada Travel and Holidays, and latterly of Canada4U was recognized for over 30 years of passionately promoting Canada.

The winners were  announced at a  " Be Festive"  awards lunch to be hosted in London on  Thursday December 12th, where recognition was also  made of Canada's many annual  festivals and events in a fun and interactive   way.

For more media information please contact :

Nim Singh, Canadian Tourism Commission, 0207 389 9983 singh.nim@ctc-cct.ca (not for publication)

@canadanim

#explorecanada

#BACTA2013