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Manitoulin Represented at International Tourism Trade Shows

Birch Island, April 8, 2005 – Representatives of The Great Spirit Circle Trail (GSCT) once again promoted the Manitoulin and Sagamok region at two major international tourism events – Spotlight Canada in London, England, and the International Tourism Borse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany, which took place March 6th to 15th, 2005. Spotlight Canada is organized by the Canadian Tourism Commission and is specifically a travel trade industry show where tourism companies from throughout Europe meet with Canadian companies to learn about new product and look at potential partnerships. ITB in Germany brings both travel trade representatives and consumers together in the world's leading trade fair for the global tourism industry, with more than 175 countries, 10, 000 exhibitors and 179,000 visitors participating. The Canadian Tourism Commission also organizes the Canadian Pavilion at this event.

"Some days, we had up to 17 meetings in one day with travel industry representatives. There was an amazing amount of interest expressed in the products we are offering. The tourism industry is more sophisticated than in years past and tourists are becoming more interested in educational experiences such as those offered by The Great Spirit Circle Trail . Our Aboriginal hosts not only guide their guests but educate their guests about nature and Aboriginal culture", shared Kevin Eshkawkogan, a Waubetek Business Development Officer and a representative of The Great Spirit Circle Trail who attended both events with his colleague, Dawn Madahbee, the General Manager for both Waubetek and the GSCT. He added that "The Great Spirit Circle Trail is considered a role model for both co-operative marketing initiatives and Canadian Aboriginal tourism products at these events". Dawn, who has attended these events for the fourth year in a row, indicated that "The Great Spirit Circle Trail has now become recognized as a stable presence at these events gaining the confidence of many tour operators...in fact, we are now entering into agreements with several companies who will be assisting in the promotion our product throughout Europe. It is quite exciting for us to be entering into international agreements".

As part of the Canadian Pavilion in Berlin this year, the Province of Ontario hosted an Ontario showcase and invited The Great Spirit Circle Trail to be a part. The Ontario promotion was sponsored by the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation to showcase Ontario talent. Demonstrating various dance styles that can be viewed by visitors to the local powwows were dancers Mariette Sutherland of Whitefish River First Nation, Lisa Marie Lavallee of Wikwemikong along with Kevin Eshkawkogan of M'Chigeeng who served double-duty as a business representative and Grass Dancer. Ontario's Minister of Tourism, Jim Bradley, visited the show on Sunday, March 13th and after taking in a few meetings he took the opportunity to visit The Great Spirit Circle Trail booth. "We are pleased to have met with the Minister to describe some of the wonderful Aboriginal cultural and nature-based tourism experiences available in our region. Minister Bradley is a wonderful champion for tourism in Ontario. We especially appreciate the support of the Ontario Tourism Marketing Partnership Corporation in showcasing our Aboriginal dance traditions on the world stage and in sponsoring familiarization tours to our region over the past few years", noted Dawn Madahbee. "The Great Spirit Circle Trail has received an increasing amount of interest and more importantly, business at these International Tourism Trade Shows over the past few years and this year, we were pleasantly surprised at the number of visitors who have already experienced our region as a result of our marketing who took the opportunity to stop at our booth to express their thanks".

The Great Spirit Circle Trail is a cooperative tourism marketing initiative aimed at promoting Aboriginal tourism and increasing businesses opportunities in the member First Nations which include Sagamok, Whitefish River, Aundeck Omni Kaning, M'Chigeeng, Sheguiandah, Sheshegwaning, Zhiibaahaasing & Wikwemikong. The Great Spirit Circle Trail which was established in 2000 offers nature based tourism from an Aboriginal perspective on the largest fresh water island in the world known as Manitoulin Island and the Sagamok region. The Great Spirit Circle Trail will be launching their new schedule of day tours for Fully-Independent Travellers and visitors to the region in May.

Contact: Dawn Madahbee
General Manager
Waubetek Business Development Corporation
(705) 285-4275

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