The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) on July 18 announced the recipients of the 2023 NYS Tourism Excellence Awards. The outstanding work of New York State’s destination marketing organizations, attractions, and other tourism-related businesses in all forms of marketing, destination management and stewardship are recognized through this annual awards program. The organizations, businesses, institutions, and individuals will be honored at a special ceremony at the Strong National Museum of Play in Rochester, New York on September 14, 2023 as part of the 2023 NYSTIA Annual meeting.

Akwesasne Travel received the Excellence in Sustainable Stewardship: Champions of Change award for fostering genuine connections through art and experiences that perpetuate Akwesasne’s cultural heritage.

“We are honored to be recognized by NYSTIA as Champions of Change,” said Akwesasne Travel Manager Penny Peters. “Cultural and environmental stewardship are pillars of Akwesasne Travel’s tourism program. As Onkwehon:we (original people), we are guided by traditional teachings of community living, seventh generation planning and the interconnection of all things. We work with our tour suppliers to design itineraries that encourage, educate, and share these practices with our visitors. To be recognized for these efforts is very meaningful as we continue to develop and market Akwesasne’s tourism industry.”

This year’s New York State Tourism Excellence Awards include multiple new awards categories to acknowledge the critical work done in advancing the areas of sustainability, DEAI (diversity, equity, accessibility, and inclusion), international marketing, travel itineraries, and promoting the great outdoors of New York State. The pool of awards nominations was extraordinarily competitive, surpassing 2022’s total by 40%.

“The outstanding work of New York State’s tourism professionals contributed significantly to the post-COVID resurgence of New York State’s tourism industry,” remarked Kelly Curtin, Board Chair of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. “The efforts of both the 2023 New York State Tourism Excellence Award nominees and recipients epitomize the concept of best practice destination marketing, management and stewardship. My admiration and congratulations to all!”

The New York State Tourism Excellence Awards are open to all New York State tourism marketers and are juried by an impartial panel of industry experts under the auspices of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. Nominees spanned every corner of New York State and judges were challenged by the diversity and quality of the entries.

“The campaigns, initiatives, and projects submitted for the 2023 Tourism Excellence Awards illustrate the world-class work being done by New York’s tourism professionals,” observed Bob Provost, President of the New York State Tourism Industry Association. “The caliber of the work nominated this year, coupled with the 40% YOY increase in nominations challenged the judges who reviewed and scored this year’s entries.”

 

About New York State Tourism Industry Association:

The New York State Tourism Industry Association (NYSTIA) is a member-driven, 501(c)6 nonprofit organization at the vanguard of transformational tourism marketing, stewardship and long-term strategic planning. We assist our members in advancing responsible economic growth, creating jobs, revitalizing communities, supporting small business success, and increasing state and local tax revenues in order to improve the standard of living, quality of life and pride of place for New York State communities and residents. We achieve these goals by facilitating the success of our members in realizing the economic potential of New York State’s tourism industry as a catalyst for collaborative initiatives, exceptional marketing programs, industry research and legislative awareness for the private sector of New York State’s tourism industry.

 

About Akwesasne Travel:

Akwesasne Travel is the official Destination Marketing and Management Organization (DMMO) for the Mohawk community of Akwesasne. We are based within the Office of Economic Development of the Saint Regis Mohawk Tribe located in Akwesasne, New York on the U.S.-Canada border. Akwesasne Travel offers cultural tours featuring hands-on experiences in the ancient arts of traditional wooden lacrosse stick making, splint basketry, and herbal medicines. Our museum and cultural center tours explore the past, present, and future of the Mohawk and Haudenosaunee through storytelling, art, and artifacts. Akwesasne Travel has been named Tribal Destination of the Year by the American Indian Alaska Native Tourism Association, and is a recipient of the New York State Tourism Industry Association’s 2023 Tourism Excellence Award.

www.akwesasne.travel

Contact Akwesasne Travel at (518) 358-4238 or info@akwesasne.travel.

Akwesasne Travel—proudly sharing the Mohawk spirit through cultural tourism initiatives.