Best Special Event Program

"The Inspire Travel Show"
HI - Edmonton

You know, Hostelling International requires that programs include certain qualities:

Environmental awareness and actual follow thru cultural interaction and awareness
and of course some aspects of the IYHF peace and understanding initiative

There is a travel show which took place last spring, which includes all these qualities, while bringing together HI partners such as MEC and other travel related businesses, as well as HIC, and it took place in the Hostel. The Show included presentations by Katimavik and Canada World Youth, as well as general travel talks. By the way, this event took place with a net zero production of waste. Of course there is much more to say about this event, but let me just tell you it is the Inspire Travel Show, presented by HI-Edmonton in the hostel.


Best Continuing Program

Guided bike tour of Montréal with Chris
HI-Montréal

This is a program which allows travelers of all ages and all nationalities to learn about a very large urban Community, visiting places of Historical Interest as well as all the varied sights of the city, picnicking with the fresh food products from a Market, visiting a historic waterfront overlooking one of the most important waterways in the World. Of course this is not a ride on the Big Double Decker Bus, it involves the participant in physical activity and interaction with fellow travelers while they ride rented bicycles together through the Great city of Montreal with their very knowledgeable guide, Chris Ashcroft. This program has been operating for 5 years.

The simple title of this program is The guided bike tour of Montreal with Chris!

Best Environmental Program

Bowen Island Tour
HI - Vancouver Central

How about this for an environmental program: Hike around a lake! See lots of wildlife like deer and birds, as well as a wide variety of wildflowers, different trees and shrubs, and not have to produce hundreds of tons of CO2 to get there! And this is all in a quiet rural area within an hour's travel from a major city center.

Well, the winning program is the Bowen Island Tour from HI-Vancouver Central. There is a short bus ride to the Ferry Terminal at Horseshoe Bay and a twenty minute ferry ride to Bowen Island, which has about 3500 residents, no major predators except US, then on a short gently hike around Killarney Lake, ending with a visit to the local Doc Martin's Pub., sounds like heaven to me!

A Special Mention from the Judges

Hostelling International does not discriminate, either with its visitors, staff or volunteers. We are all from many different backgrounds and abilities. As you know, we have interns from many places working in our hostels, and Canadians are working in other parts of the world.

This program is a little different. It is giving a young man with a pervasive development disorder (autism) the opportunity to come into contact with others, in a workplace situation. At first, he responded to questions very briefly, and to the point. Now he is much more responsive and able to take part in short conversations. Initially planned for three months, this internship has been so beneficial to Sylvain, that it was extended for an indefinite period.

L'Auberge Internationale de Québec, in collaboration with CRDI, has welcomed Sylvain Lacroix, a 34 year old Autistic man to an internship program working with the café and housekeeping staff for three half-days a week. 

HI-Edmonton | HI-Montréal |  HI-Vancouver Central