The following is an excerpt from the press release:

MANITOBA, Canada, November, 2008 – Northern Soul, a Manitoba-based tourism enterprise that specializes in providing local, national and international tourists with guided canoe-adventure experiences in the boreal and near-arctic regions of the province, has been chosen as winner of the prestigious 2008 Skål International ecotourism award, in recognition of its promotion of travel, while engaging in environmental and cultural conservation. The award was presented in Taipei, Taiwan last week.

Northern Soul is renowned for following sustainable tourism principles, including using local suppliers to supply organic meals and equipment, celebrating local culture by providing guests with the opportunity to participate in sweat lodge ceremonies and minimizing environmental impacts, while showcasing some of Manitoba’s most breathtaking waterways.

“Developing our company around the principles of sustainable tourism was a natural outcome of my personal values,” said David Pancoe, owner of Northern Soul. “Off-setting carbon footprints and relying on local produce was once a unique idea, but is now becoming the mainstream.”

“It’s extremely rewarding to be recognized by your peers throughout the world, and it wouldn’t have been possible without assistance from family members, friends, Skål Winnipeg and Travel Manitoba, which has enjoyed great success promoting Manitoba to the world.”

Skål International is the world’s largest organization of travel and tourism professionals, with more than 22,000 active members representing 85 countries. Founded in 1934, Skål International is dedicated to promoting the development of responsible, sustainable and universally accessible tourism.

Northern Soul joins an impressive list of past Skål International ecotourism award winners in the category of tour operators and travel agents, including Fiji’s Aqua-Trek Shark Conservation program, Mongolia’s Gun-Galuut Nature Reserve and South Africa’s Ocean Blue Adventures.

Northern Soul was nominated for the award by Skål Winnipeg, a local chapter dedicated to strengthening Manitoba’s travel and tourism industry by promoting hospitality and tourism-related products, both inside Manitoba and beyond its borders.

“We were confident the judging panel would be impressed with the uniqueness of Northern Soul’s product offerings, as well as their commitment to ecotourism practices,” said Ron Pradinuk, President of Skål Winnipeg.

“Winning the award over entries from around the world speaks volumes about the quality of experiences offered by Northern Soul and Manitoba’s ability to attract visitors.”

Travel Manitoba also works to promote sustainable tourism in Manitoba and congratulates Northern Soul on being recognized for being a leader in ecotourism.

“Responsible tourism is becoming more and more of a priority among travellers,” said Hubert Mesman, Travel Manitoba’s President and CEO. “Northern Soul’s recognition demonstrates to the world that our province is dedicated to ensuring that the tourism experiences available today will be accessible tomorrow.”

Travel Manitoba was established as a Crown Corporation under provincial legislation to lead and stimulate sustainable tourism growth in Manitoba’s $1 billion tourism industry. In partnership with the tourism industry, the agency is responsible for tourism marketing, visitor information services, product development, research and public information. Read more at: http://www.skal.org/html/ecotourism/2008/eco2008.asp.