Poon Tip becomes the first representative of the travel industry to receive the title of Officer for 34 years – a year longer than G has been in operation.

Poon Tip said he was humbled to be honoured by his adopted home country after his family emigrated to Canada when he was a child.

"Canada has afforded me the gift of opportunity," he said. "This great nation took my family and I in, and has given me the privilege and means to build a business. It’s enabled me to make my ideas become a reality – creating a community that is based on giving back to others – both nationally and internationally.

“I accept this recognition with great pride on behalf of myself and my family. I am grateful and truly overwhelmed, and I would like to thank everyone involved in helping to make this happen for me."

Poon Tip said this mentality underpinned G’s ethos to "change people’s lives through travel", and that of its non-profit foundation Planeterra founded by Poon Tip in 20023.

"We have had a huge impact on local communities around the world, using tourism as a driver of wealth distribution and poverty alleviation in some of the world’s poorest countries," he continued.

"I am committed to continuing my service to Canada, as well as to the world at large. It’s my calling and my passion. This recognition means so much, as it supports the vision I believe so strongly in."