Vancouver was host to this year’s BC Tourism Industry Conference presented by the Tourism Industry Association of BC (TIABC).  The 2025 BC Tourism Industry Awards were held alongside the conference during the Awards Gala event on March 6 to recognize and celebrate the excellence, leadership, and innovation in British Columbia’s tourism industry.  Ten prestigious awards are up for grab each year.

Tourism Fernie and it’s Executive Officer, Jikke Gyorki, were finalists in two award categories for the Awards Gala.

Tourism Fernie was up for the Professional Excellence Award along with Tourism Kelowna and Sunshine Coast Tourism, and Jikke was up for the Tourism Woman of the Year Award along with Talaysay Campo of Talaysay Tours, and Amy Thacker of Cariboo Chilcotin Coast Tourism Association.

Tourism Fernie won the Professional Excellence Award, which recognizes a community DMO or Sector Association for their demonstration of leadership, innovation, accountability and collaboration with the tourism industry in British Columbia. The winner of this award is chosen amongst others as a proven leader, an example of professionalism and best practices, and has provided measurable value to its members, as well as the local and provincial tourism industry.

“What an incredible honour it was to see our organization and team be recognized,” exclaimed Jikke. “I was so nervous through the week of conference events, and when it happened, I was so grateful.

“Our team has worked so hard over the many years, and I was very happy to bring this back to Fernie to celebrate. This award was much more meaningful to me than the Tourism Women of the Year award as even my own success in the industry is still based on our team.”

Learn more about the BC Tourism Conference and Industry Awards.

Lead image: L-R: Reto Barrington – Chair of Tourism Fernie, Award Sponsor Rep – Acera Insurance, Jikke Gyorki – Executive Office of Tourism Fernie. Tourism Fernie photos

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