The 2024 TravelPulse Canada Readers' Choice Awards: And the Winners Are ...

When you put 300 members of the Canadian travel industry in one room, magic happens. The 2024 TravelPulse Canada Readers' Choice Awards was a celebration of everything that makes the industry special -- hard work, hard play and a level of fierce camaraderie that's like no other business.

More than 300 agents and industry professionals gathered last Thursday, May 16 at the Hotel X in downtown Toronto to celebrate our industry's best.  

We also welcomed three new members into the prestigious Canadian Travel Hall of Fame: G Adventures' Founder Bruce Poon Tip, Air Canada EVP/CMO of Air Canada and President of Air Canada Vacations, Lucie Guillemette and Merit Travel founders Michael Merrithew and Louise de Grandpre. 

Without further ado, here are the night's winners! 

Lucie Guillemette of Air Canada was inducted into the Travel Hall of Fame for her incredible journey and career in the industry. 

The first prize of the evening was given to Sunwing for “Best Sales Department”.

Celebrity Cruises was crowned Best Expedition Cruise Line.

The Airline of the Year, Leisure award was given to Air Transat.

Freddie Marsh of Playa Resorts won the title of Social Media Star, an award which was accepted by his colleagues in his absence. 

World of Hyatt Inclusive Collection was crowned best all-inclusive hotel group for their food and drink offering.

Visit Las Vegas received the title of Best Tourism Office, United States. This account is represented in Canada by ReachGlobal who accepted the award.

Transat received the prize for Best Department: Groups. 

Sabre received the GDS Platform of the Year award.

SoftVoyage won Travel Technology of the Year.

The Tourist Board of the Year, Europe award went to Visit Ireland. 

The Tour Operator of the Year, Adventure award was given to G Adventures.

Visit Jamaica won the title of Tourism Office of the Year, Caribbean. 

Manulife won the title of Insurance Company of the Year.

A second prize for G Adventures, this time for: tour operator of the year, guided tours.

Goway Travel won Tour Operator of the Year, South Pacific.

The award for Best Sales Department, Cruises, went to Celebrity Cruises 

The Cruise Line of the Year Award, Ocean Ships, was presented to Royal Caribbean International.

The Cruise Line of the Year Award, River, was presented to Ama Waterways.

Michael Merrithew and Louise De Grandpré of Merit Travel were inducted into the Travel Hall of Fame on May 16.

Sunwing received the honors for its agent loyalty program which was voted best of the year.

It was Quebecer Mathieu Robert from Celebrity Cruises who received the title of BDM of the year. 

Air Canada Vacations won honors for best digital brochure.

Travelbrands, Intair won Airline Consolidator of the Year

Air Transat won the title of Best In-Flight Experience, Economy.

The Best Sales Department is: Sunwing

Air Canada Vacations was named Tour Operator of the Year.

Bruce Poon Tip, Founder of G Adventures was inducted into the Travel Hall of Fame

Air Canada won Airline of the Year

The title of Personality of the Year was given to Joseph Adamo of Air Transat who was also interviewed on the red carpet before the ceremony. 

Some prizes were awarded even if the winners were not on site, here they are:

- Best Cruise Line, Small Ship: Viking

- Best tourist office, South Pacific: Visit Australia

- Best tourist office, South America: Visit Costa Rica

- Best Tourist Attraction: Disney World Florida