Family-owned, Canadian expedition cruise company Adventure Canada has been selected as a finalist for National Geographic’s World Legacy Awards in the Sense of Place category. The annual award is given to a travel company recognized for its excellence in presenting cultural authenticity.

“Being a Sense of Place finalist is a distinction we are remarkably proud of,” said Adventure Canada CEO Cedar Swan. “Enhancing cultural authenticity—supporting indigenous heritage, artistic traditions and local economies in the Arctic and east coast regions where we travel—is what drives us as a company, and it is what sets us apart. For National Geographic and ITB Berlin to give us this nod, is a true honour.”

The 2017 National Geographic World Legacy Awards are divided into five distinct categories: Conserving The Natural World, Destination Leadership, Earth Changers, Engaging Communities and Sense of Place. Adventure Canada is the only Canadian finalist and just one of three in North America.

In total, this year’s finalists represent forty-five countries around the world and showcase travel’s growing commitment to sustainable tourism.

“We have reached a tipping point as more of the travel industry understands that there can be no future for tourism without sustainability, including environmentally friendly business practices, protection of cultural and natural heritage, and tangible social and economic benefits to local people,” said Costas Christ, Chairman of National Geographic World Legacy Awards. “Those countries and companies that understand this today will be the travel leaders of tomorrow. These fifteen World Legacy Awards finalists are showing the way forward to a brighter future for people and the planet.”

The finalists were selected by a global team of more than twenty judges. Winners will be revealed on March 8, 2017, during ITB Berlin.

For more information, visit www.nationalgeographic.com/worldlegacyawards.

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