A Manitoulin Island man has been recognized for his work helping to establish Aboriginal tourism in Ontario.
Kevin Eshkawkogan, CEO of M’Chigeeng-based Great Spirit Circle Trail, was bestowed the Tourism Champion of the Year award during the annual Ontario Tourism Awards of Excellence gala held Nov. 10 in Toronto.
The event was jointly hosted by the Ontario Culinary Tourism Alliance, the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation and the Tourism Industry Association of Ontario.
Eshkawkogan, who is also a board member of Northeastern Ontario Tourism, was acknowledged for his work in spearheading the launch of Aboriginal Tourism Ontario (ATO) in 2014. ATO aims to create a provincial support system to grow Aboriginal tourism.
“Through a variety other initiatives (both professional and in the community), Kevin has demonstrated his passion for tourism coupled with business development, and as such exemplifies what it means to be a tourism champion,” reads a statement from the event.
Great Spirit Circle Trail offers nature-based and cultural tourism from an Aboriginal perspective on Manitoulin Island and in the Sagamok region of Northeastern Ontario. Experiences range from soft adventure to wilderness eco-adventures and educational interpretive tours.
