Paranich awarded medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management. 

Elisa Paranich lived the first 17 years of her life in New Hazelton, BC but it was one year spent away from her tiny hometown that has set the course of her life since.  

Meeting new people, visiting new places, she fell into working in tourism, later studying the topic in Vancouver. Most recently, she completed a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management at Royal Roads University in June, with her final semester on exchange in Australia.  

For her efforts as a student and in her community, she was recently honoured with BC’s Lieutenant Governor’s Medal for Inclusion, Democracy and Reconciliation. The medal is for “post-secondary students with outstanding contributions in support of inclusion, democracy or reconciliation, on or off campus.” 

The award recognizes her work as a volunteer firefighter as well as her efforts to support people affected by BC wildfires. It also celebrates her volunteer work  for Pride events and industry  conferences including one focused on women in tourism. In addition to volunteer work, Paranich was a delegate for the Young Hospitality Summit in Switzerland in 2024. 

A passion for travel 

Complementing Paranich’s volunteering endeavours is her passion for tourism and travel. 

“I am just so fascinated about the whole industry, how it connects people from all over the world to each other, but also to other cultures and other places that they otherwise might not see,” Paranich says. “And I think that's really how we learn and we grow… I wouldn't be who I am if I didn't learn from all the people I've met in my life from all over the place. 

“It gives you such a new perspective on everything because, especially if you're in one place for a very long time, you get so accustomed to your way of living,” she adds. “And then you go somewhere else and you're just mesmerized by how different things are or you learn new things.”  

Tourism emphasizes interconnectedness  

Paranich says her time at in the Tourism Management program at RRU, including visits from guest speakers from different parts of the tourism industry, emphasized the interconnectedness of both the world and her chosen profession. 

She’s grateful for the support of faculty and staff at Royal Roads, for her entire cohort, and she’s flattered to have received the Lieutenant Governor’s Medal. 

“I was really surprised and honoured,” she says. “I had no idea that I was nominated, let alone to be selected. It's just a huge honour to receive that, and it shows that my work has been visible to others as well.” 

Learn more about the Bachelor of Arts in Tourism Management.