Fort Simpson (Nov 24/06) - Ted Grant, operator of Simpson Air and Nahanni Mountain Lodge, has been recognized for his achievements in the tourism industry.

Grant was given the Operator of the Year award from Northwest Territories Tourism. He received the award during the gala dinner on Nov. 4 that wrapped up the association's 10th anniversary conference and annual general meeting in Yellowknife.

The honour came as a bit of a surprise. Grant said he'd heard a rumour that it might be coming but disregarded it.

At the ceremony, they introduced the winner as someone who had flown every kind of plane into the Nahanni National Park Reserve since 1976.

"I guess that must be me," Grant remembers thinking.

Award winners are chosen by people in the industry as a way to recognize those who gave beyond the call of duty, said David Grindlay, the executive director of NWT Tourism.

"He works very hard at what he does. He certainly deserved this," said Grindlay about Grant.

Among Grant's achievements is the fact that Simpson Air is the longest operating charter service in the Mackenzie valley. Grant started the company in April, 1981. For the first few months, he had three planes. More than a year later, the company had 10 planes and 30 employees.

Over the years, economic development and tourism have been closely tied together for Simpson Air, Grant said.

Business was booming from 1981 to 1985 while preparation was underway for the Enbridge pipeline to Norman Wells.

"We were busy," said Grant.

The pipeline also increased the tourism business. Workers who were already in the North went to visit the Nahanni National Park Reserve. In 1981, Grant made a total of 12 trips to the park. By 1991, that number was up to 200.

Business has declined from both industry and tourism

sources since the land claims process started in the Deh Cho, said Grant. There is lots of opportunity for the tourism industry here but there has to be a framework for it to expand in, he said.

"They have to get something going here really soon," Grant said.

He currently owns four aircraft, including a Cessna 172, a Piper Aztec and two Cessna 206s. If proposed mining and pipeline activity begins, he hopes to purchase bigger and better airplanes.

After flying for 34 years, Grant still stays active by taking on difficult flights or ones that are more enjoyable.

Grant said his favourite plane is the Pilatus Turbo Porter.

"It will go almost anywhere a helicopter can," he said.

His favourite place to fly is Little Doctor Lake where he owns the Nahanni Mountain Lodge that he started in 1985.

"It 's beautiful out there," Grant said.