CN Tower Awarded "Business of the Year" during Canadian Tourism Awards

TORONTO -- The CN Tower was presented with the Air Canada "Business of the Year" Award during the Tourism Industry Association of Canada's (TIAC) annual Tourism Summit. The Canadian Tourism Awards presented by The Toronto Star were held November 24, 2011 in Ottawa, Ontario.

The Canadian Tourism Awards are presented annually by TIAC to recognize success, leadership and innovation in Canada's tourism industry, and to reward those people, places, organizations and events that have gone above and beyond to offer a superior tourism experience to travelers in Canada. Since its inception in 2003, this gala evening has become a highlight of The Tourism Congress, TIAC's annual convention. The Canadian Tourism Awards have also become the standard of excellence for businesses and organizations in the travel industry, showcasing the nation's best tourism products, services and experiences.

"We are extremely proud of this achievement," said Mark Laroche, President and CEO, Canada Lands Company, owner and operator of Canada's National Tower. "The CN Tower has achieved the coveted Business of the Year award twice in five years. Earning this distinction in 2011 the CN Tower's 35th anniversary year, is a tribute to our efforts to foster the Tower's remarkable legacy as an icon, top tourist destination and one of Canada's most celebrated experiences."

"In 2011 we truly went above and beyond with the introduction of EdgeWalk at the CN Tower - the world's highest and the first of its kind in North America," said Jack Robinson, Chief Operating Officer of the CN Tower. "Adding exciting, new experiences such as EdgeWalk are important because they contribute to building a thriving tourism industry providing a reason for repeat visitors to return and another reason for first time visitors to add Toronto to their travel list."

The CN Tower's high standards have been recognized with a long and distinguished record of achievement. Including 2011, the Tower has been a Canadian Tourism Award finalist five times in the last five years: in 2007 awarded Business of the Year (single unit), in 2008 a finalist for Excellence in Human Resources and in 2010 a finalist once again for Business of the Year. Numerous other awards have included: World Federation of Great Towers Environment Award, BOMA BESt, Staffing Award, Best Attraction, Best Safety Awareness Program, Best Guest Services Training Program, Most Romantic Restaurant, Distinguished Restaurants of North America Award of Excellence and Wine Spectator 'Best of Award of Excellence'.

Over the years, the CN Tower has been maintained as a leading edge facility and in doing so has fostered a legacy of innovation. Upgrades and expansions have ensured the Tower continues to provide visitors with a world class experience:

  • 2007 - An innovative energy efficient LED exterior lighting system is installed.
  • 2008 - The world's highest glass fronted and glass floor paneled elevators are introduced.
  • 2009 - BOMA BESt Level 1 - National Green Building Certification recognizing the commitment to sustainable best practices at Canada's National Tower presented by the Building Owners and Managers Association (BOMA) of Canada.
  • 2010 - A state of the art 3D theatre experience is introduced.
  • 2011 - Innovative electronic wine list and wine preservation system are introduced in 360.
  • 2011 - EdgeWalk at the CN Tower is launched.

CN Tower

Defining the Toronto skyline, at a height of 553.33m (1,815 ft., 5 inches), the CN Tower is Canada's National Tower, an engineering Wonder and Toronto's must see attraction visited by over 1.5 million people annually. The first of its kind in North America, EdgeWalk at the CN Tower holds the Guinness World Record as the "World's Highest External Walk on a Building", a full circle hands-free walk on a 5 ft (1.5 m) wide ledge encircling the top of the CN Tower's main pod, 356m, (1168 ft , 116 storeys) above the ground. This adrenalin-fueled experience allows thrill seekers to walk the edge of one of the world's greatest man-made wonders. www.cntower.ca; www.edgewalkcntower.ca

Canada Lands Company

The CN Tower is owned and operated by Canada Lands Company (CLC) and EdgeWalk at the CN Tower is the newest initiative of the company. CLC is a federal Crown corporation that optimizes the financial and community value obtained from surplus strategic properties no longer required by the Government of Canada. The company is self-financing and implements innovative property solutions to create strong and competitive communities wherever it operates. www.clc.ca

Tourism Industry Association of Canada

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada is the only national organization representing the full cross-section of Canada's $74 billion tourism industry. TIAC's members include air and passenger rail services, airport authorities, local and provincial destination authorities, hotels, attractions and tour operators. www.tiac.travel/awards

For further information:

Irene Knight, Manager of Public Relations CN Tower
@email
phone: 416-601-4729