Awards & Recognition
Awards Archive
British Youth Travel Award
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures won the 2009 British Youth Travel Awards in the Green Tourism Category. This award recognizes the efforts that youth travel organizations make to maximize their positive impact on the environments and local communities in which they operate. Entrants were required to demonstrate proven commitment to sustainable best practice through innovation that is having a positive long-term impact.
National Geographic Traveler's Tours of a Lifetime
In 2008, our Project Cambodia trip was selected by National Geographic Traveler magazine for its Tours of a Lifetime issue. Project Cambodia offers travelers the opportunity to assist a local community by helping to assemble wheelchairs for landmine victims.
World Tourism Award at World Travel Mart
In 2009, Gap Adventures won the prestigious World Tourism Award sponsored by American Express, Corinthia Hotels, International Herald Tribune and Reed Travel Exhibitions at the World Travel Mart event. Receiving this award based on our committed effort to sustainable community development through our non-profit organization, the Planeterra Foundation, is something that our supporters and travelers should all be proud of.
Environmental Industry Award
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures received the Environmental Industry Award from Flight Centre North America. This award recognizes a travel industry supplier partner that has made the greatest effort to minimize their environmental impact.
Agents' Choice Awards
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures was voted by more than 3,500 Canadian Travel Agents in the 2008 Agents’ Choice Awards as #1 Adventure Tour Operator. G.A.P Adventures was also awarded a top spot as one of the Best Environmentally Friendly Companies. G.A.P Adventures was awarded the most number one votes – winning the top spot in each region in order to place first in the Adventure Tour Operator category, beating out the second place finisher by more than 1,700 votes.
Travel Personality of the Year
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures CEO, Bruce Poon Tip was awarded with the Association of Canadian Travel Agencies' Travel Personality of the Year Award which recognizes and honours individuals whose careers have made an enduring impact on the development and expansion of the travel industry.
Cause + action award
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures was pleased to be awarded Strategy Magazine's cause + action award, which honours brands that are making a socially responsible difference.
The Corporate Award for Environmental Excellence
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures was named a finalist by the Globe Foundation for the Corporate Award for Environmental Excellence which recognizes outstanding achievement in environmental stewardship in Canada. This award is presented annually to companies and industry groups who have balanced competitive business strategies and sustainable development.
Canada's Top Women in Human Resources
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures Director of Human Resources, Sue Silk, was named to the Women's Post list of Canada's Top Women in Human Resources.
Canada's Top 100 Employers and Canada's Ten Best Employers for Young People
In 2005 & 2006, G.A.P Adventures received recognition as one of Canada's Top 100 Employers and Canada's Ten Best Employers for Young People. In 2006-7, G.A.P Adventures was also selected as one of Greater Toronto’s Top 50 Employers.
Canada’s 50 Best Managed Companies
From 2006-8, G.A.P Adventures has been recognized as one of Canada's 50 Best Managed Companies. This prestigious award honours companies operating at the highest levels of business performance. From thousands of entries, G.A.P Adventures rose to the top for being a dynamic, aggressive company which focuses on its core vision, creates stakeholder value and excels in the global economy.
Best 'Do it all Outfitter' on Earth
For the past two years, National Geographic Adventure magazine has named G.A.P Adventures on its Best Outfitters on Earth competition. G.A.P Adventures received an overall score of 96.6% for 2009 and 95.9% for 2008 for its excellence in quality of service, spirit of adventure, sustainability and education.
National Geographic Traveler's Tours of a Lifetime
In 2009 National Geographic Traveler awarded G.A.P Adventures a spot on their Tours of a Lifetime list. G.A.P Adventures Voodoo Trail trip which visits Benin, Togo and Burkina Faso, was featured in the culture category. G.A.P Adventures has won this award for the third time.
Tanzania Tourist Board Humanitarian Award
In 2008, G.A.P Adventures received the Tanzania Tourist Board Tour Operator Humanitarian Award. This prestigious award recognizes tour operators for their outstanding support and highlight those companies who give back to the local communities they visit.
Travel Mole Web Awards
G.A.P Adventures' website was selected by the Travel Mole Web Awards as one of the best tour operator websites in 2007.
World Savers Award
In 2009, Gap Adventures was honoured to win the World Savers Award from Condé Nast Traveler. Taking home the win for Tour Operators, the award was received in New York City and recognizes our dedication to corporate social responsibility and the development and support of small communities around the globe through our non-profit organization, Planeterra.
Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year
In 2007, Bruce Poon Tip was honored with the Chinese Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year award. The award recognized G.A.P Adventures’ operating success, profitability, and financial health and growth as well as Bruce’s innovation as an industry leader and his corporate citizenship.
New Pioneers Award
In 2007, Bruce received the New Pioneers award in the Entrepreneurship category. These awards publicly recognize the accomplishments made by immigrants and newcomers to Canada.
Canadian Entrepreneur of the Year
Gap Adventures CEO and founder Bruce Poon Tip was awarded with the Entrepreneur of the Year award in the Hospitality & Tourism category in 2006 & 2002.
Green List
In 2006, Condé Nast Traveler named G.A.P Adventures to its 12th annual Green List. The list, which identifies ecotourism's crème de la crème, selects its top candidates by their commitment to environmental initiatives, contributions to local communities, and the quality of the guest experience. Conde Nast Traveler states that G.A.P Adventures is among those winners who demonstrate "the best ways to preserve the environments and cultures that make this planet worth exploring."
Media Contacts
Media Enquiries
Marie Anne MacRaePublic Relations
416.263.4675
1.800.465.5600
media@gap.ca
For interviews and speaking opportunities for Bruce Poon Tip contact:
Marie Anne MacRaePartnerships & Media Relations Manager
416.263.4675
1.800.465.5600
marieanne_macrae@gap.ca




