British Columbia's Klahoose Wilderness Resort has been recognized as Canada's Leading Wilderness Resort 2024 by the World Travel Awards (WTA).
This year marked the 31st year the WTA has handed out the awards in its search for the finest travel and tourism organisations worldwide.Bald eagle, Rob Brown/Pixabay; bears, Tapani Hellman/Pixabay
Resort Tourism Manager Chris Tait said the award held special significance as it was voted on by both past guests and travel industry partners. "Being recognized as Canada's leading wilderness resort after just three seasons validates our commitment to offering authentic indigenous tourism," he said
Klahoose Wilderness Resort is an award winning, sustainable off-grid eco-resort in Desolation Sound, British Columbia, Canada. It provides a nature-focused stay with authentic tours led by Indigenous guides.
Klahoose is an all-inclusive eco-resort that portrays traditional Klahoose values, while offering an immersive exploration into this pristine region rich in diverse wilderness and cultural significance. Toba Inlet wildlife tours include spring bear viewing, and late summer to autumn grizzly bear-salmon run tours led by Indigenous guides.
Only accessible by boat or seaplane, the resort is located within the heart of Desolation Sound, on Homfray Channel between the coastal mountain peaks of British Columbia's Sunshine Coast, the Salish Sea and the edge of BC's Great Bear Rainforest.
The ancient voices and songs echoed in the traditional Klahoose greeting welcome newly arrived guests with a casual gathering on the lodge verandah. Senses awaken upon hearing the distant call of a majestic eagle as it soars above a pod of nearby Orca's as their dorsal fins break the water's calm surface.
Klahoose Coastal Adventures is 100-per-cent owned by Klahoose First Nation and its tours are primarily led by Klahoose guides who are culturally trained and share legends, stories, language and songs. Klahoose peoples have lived on the central west coast of British Columbia since time immemorial. Klahoose First Nation territories span from Cortes Island, opposite Quadra Island near Campbell River to Toba Inlet.
The resort's focus is on eco-adventure tours from May through August and shifts to grizzly bear viewing tours from late August until mid-October.
Klahoose Wilderness Resort was up against at least seven other notable nominees in the WTA category.
Established in 1993, the World Travel Awards aim to recognise, reward, and celebrate excellence across all key sectors of the travel, tourism and hospitality industries. The awards are esteemed globally as the highest seal of excellence in the industry, with an annual program that is claimed to be the most prestigious and comprehensive worldwide.