Close up photo of all three tourism awards; Tourism Partnership, Best New Tourism Product and Responsible Tourism. Awards are wooden plaques with a resin circle surrounding the Tour Oxford logo.

Tourism Oxford announced the new annual Oxford Tourism Awards in 2022.  It has been a priority for Tourism Oxford to develop an appreciation program to acknowledge the dedicated efforts of the regional tourism operators that excel in what they do.

This award program recognizes the region’s tourism businesses, organizations, and individuals who have displayed excellence in product development, partnerships/collaborations, innovation, inclusiveness, leadership, sustainability, and attraction to the region. The program also recognizes partners who are working collaboratively with Tourism Oxford to grow regional tourism and offer exceptional visitor experiences. Businesses are encouraged to self-nominate or nominate a business they admire.

Read the news release

 

2023 Nominations OPEN NOW!

Tourism Partnership Award 

The Tourism Partnership Award recognizes the tourism businesses, organizations, and/or individuals that made an outstanding contribution through partnership & collaboration to develop, build and enhance the tourism sector and profile of Oxford County. This can include a tourism experience, product, or marketing campaign that successfully attracted and encouraged locals/visitors to experience Oxford County. Nomination Form

Best New Tourism Product Award

The Best New Tourism Product Award recognizes a tourism business, organization, or individual that has demonstrated innovation in the development of a new or enhanced tourism product or visitor experience to appeal to both locals and visitors and contributed to the regional visitor experience. Nomination Form

Special Event of the Year Award 

The Special Event of the Year Award recognizes an event or festival that exemplifies industry best practices in being safe, inclusive, and sustainable, and attracts visitors, participants, and/or spectators from outside of Oxford County. This may be an event of the following types: cultural, historical, musical, arts, sporting, culinary, literary, or other. Nomination Form

DEADLINE TO APPLY: MARCH 31st, 2023

 

How to write a strong application

  • Assume the judges do not know anything about the nominee, so provide detail when responding to questions; many judges have a tourism background but are not from Oxford County
  • Review each question and be sure to address every item within the question in your response.
  • Judges use a scoring rubric, and usually judge each question on its own merit (don’t assume that what you put in a previous question will carry forward to the next question for judging purposes).
  • Use stats, testimonials, and numbers where possible. (i.e.: increase in customers by 10%; increase in food & beverage sales; the number of partners engaged); showing numbers really helps to make your point
  • Indicate how the nominee aligns with local and regional tourism strategies (culinary, cycling, touring, sustainability, experiences, culture, itineraries, green travel, etc.)
  • If self-nominating, don’t be afraid to boast about what you do. Be your own champion.
  • If nominating someone else, answer the questions as best as you can. We will follow up with the nominee to add additional details. 

 

2022 Tourism Oxford Winners

Responsible Tourism Award: 

Kelly Spencer, Indigo Lounge, Wellness Centre and EateryKelly Spencer, owner of Indigo Lounge holding her award for Responsible Tourism

The Responsible Tourism Award recognizes demonstrated innovation from a tourism business, organization, or individual who is leading the way to proactively consider environmental, cultural, and societal impacts to encourage responsible and sustainable tourism in the region.

Indigo Lounge Wellness Centre and Eatery was chosen for being a leader in environmental consciousness, energy conservation, local sourcing and low impact activities. They celebrate diversity and inclusivity with Indigenous workshops, South Asian cooking classes, and hanging of progress flags. They are active in the community supporting numerous local charities including the “Kids Empowerment Camp” where they encourage youth to give back to the community.

Tourism Partnership Award:

Tami Murray, Oxford County PrideTami Murray, of Oxford County Pride holding her award for Tourism Partnership

The Oxford County Pride committee has been striving to make Oxford County a more inclusive place to live for the past seven years. In that time they have hosted seven Pride Family Day events, numerous “Drag Story Times with the Queens,” plus several other social, recreational and leisure activities throughout Oxford County. Oxford County Pride has partnered with several local agencies to make all of this hard work possible, including local municipalities, libraries, 100 Women Who Care and the Rainbow Optimist Club.

Best New Tourism Product Award:

Cheryl Hasket, Udderly Ridiculous Farm LifeCheryl Hasket, owner of Udderly Ridiculous Farm Life, holding her award for Best New Tourism Product

Originally starting out as a food production facility, Udderly Ridiculous transformed their business into a premier tourism destination by launching eight tourism experiences and a farm market store in the summer of 2021. The Taste of Farm Life Experience has been designated a Southwest Ontario Tourism Corporation (SWOTC) Signature Experience and Alpaca Picnics are a unique offering that is regularly sold out, acting as a key driver for visitation to the county.