Ontario Educator Wins National CATT-CTC Award

December 17 2008

(Ottawa, ON) - The Canadian Academy of Travel & Tourism (CATT) and the Canadian Tourism Commission (CTC) are pleased to announce the sixth Canadian Academy of Travel & Tourism /Canadian Tourism Commission Best Practice Educator’s Award presented to Diane Kirkby, CATT Co-ordinator at Gananoque Secondary School, Gananoque, Ontario.

Presented in Winnipeg during the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council HR Forum, this award recognizes one educator in Canada who has demonstrated exemplary leadership and support for tourism education in the secondary school system and who has played an instrumental role in the development of the Academy program across Canada.

“The Canadian Tourism Commission is pleased to have partnered with CATT on the Educator’s Award,” said Greg Klassen, Vice President, Marketing at the CTC. “A shortage of skills is an issue of concern for our tourism industry. That is why CATT’s program of introducing and promoting careers in the travel and tourism sector to high school students is so valuable.”

Diane Kirkby is an exemplary teacher who works tirelessly for the tourism industry and tourism education. An important component of Ms. Kirby’s work has been her effort to build strong partnerships in both the education and the business community. Her efforts, along with the team of staff, students, and industry partners she works with, allow the students of her school to participate in hosting one of the best social events in town - an event where they are able to showcase their talent to the community and industry partners looking for future employees.

The CATT program, managed by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council, is a national business-education partnership model that operates 105 programs across Canada and is a member of the Global Travel & Tourism Partnership (associated with eight other countries).

About the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC)

The Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council (CTHRC) is a national organization that facilitates and coordinates human resources development activities which support a globally competitive and sustainable Canadian tourism sector. They are also part of a network of tourism education councils across the country that work together to establish and implement emerit national occupational standards, tourism training and professional recognition that help the tourism sector improve financial performance by improving people performance. For further information on CTHRC visit www.cthrc.ca and on emerit products and programs visit www.emerit.ca or call 1-800-486-9158.

For more information, please contact:
Jon Kiely
Vice President of Communications
T: (613) 231-6949
E: jkiely@cthrc.ca
www.cthrc.ca