The winners of the eleventh edition of the Creative Tourism Awards have just been revealed!
Created by Creative Tourism Network® – the Creative Tourism Awards aim to recognize companies, projects, and destinations around the world that promote creative tourism, a new generation of tourism, characterized by the active participation of tourists in the artistic and creative field.
The members of the international jury had the difficult task of selecting the winners from 192 applications, all standing out for their high level of creativity, authenticity, and sustainability.
The Trophy for Best Strategy for Creative Tourism Development, in the rural destination category, – was awarded to Les Escapades, Destination Région L’Islet, Quebec.
“Les Escapades were created in April 2023 by the Regroupement des Arrêts gourmands de la Région de L’Islet in collaboration with the MRC de L’Islet, Destination Région L’Islet, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food of Quebec and other local partners and sponsors, to create unique experiences that showcase talent and the know-how of the many local food producers and artisans in the L’Islet region. »
For the organizers, “the ultimate goal is to allow visitors to discover the richness of this unique territory through authentic encounters and activities. This project was born from a collective desire to develop a distinctive and attractive agrotourism and creative offer in the L’Islet region. The initiative aims to provide a forum allowing producers and artisans to share not only their products but also their passion, their values, and their creative processes.”
The International Jury of the Creative Tourism Awards highlighted the positive impact of the project in a very short term, with the creation, during the first months, of thirteen experiences, 90% of available tickets sold, bringing together a total of one hundred and sixty-one participants. But also the social and human aspects, since the project reflects the DNA of the region, being the fruit of the work of the community, creating an “alchemy” between the different actors in the territory.
For Caroline Couret, director of the Creative Tourism Network, beyond the quality and authenticity of the experiences offered, this project represents a model of sustainable tourism, due to the objectives it satisfies – among them: positioning the region as a destination unmissable for lovers of gastronomy and art, forging links and creating new collaborations between local businesses, generating new visitors in low season, to name just a few.
The winners of the Creative Tourism Awards were as follows: Salvador de Bahía – Brazil (Best Creative Destination), Cannes Tourist and Convention Office – France (Best Strategy for Creative Tourism Development), Les Escapades, Saint-Jean-Port- Joli, Quebec ( Best Strategy for Creative Tourism Development in Rural Areas ), Focus on Women (Best Creative Travel Agency), PlaçAlguer, Alghero, Sardinia, Italy (Best Creative Experience) tied with Casa del Agave, Quito-Ecuador, La Cité of Electriciens, France (Best Creative Lodging). Read more.
