August 4, 2009 TORONTO, ON –Exclusive Tours (a division of Merit Travel Group) is pleased to announce that Context Travel has been selected as a finalist for this year’s Geotourism Award, sponsored by National Geographic. “As the sole Canadian reseller of the Context Travel product, Exclusive Tours is proud to share this honour with our industry partners here in Canada. Context offers unique and sustainable travel experiences, and we’re thrilled that they are being recognized for their efforts,” said Michael Geske, Managing Director, Exclusive Tours. Being chosen as one of ten finalists, out of over 600 entrants, is a wonderful accomplishment for Context, and recognition of their work in the area of sustainable tourism. The nomination also recognizes our Canadian clients' commitment to learning about the great cities of the world and defending what makes them unique, as it is Context travellers who play a key role in sustaining the magnificent cultural capitals in which Context operates. About Us Merit Travel Group is a privately held, owner-managed company. Established in 1991, Merit has since grown to become the largest independent specialty travel company in Canada. More than 300 Merit travel professionals located at more than 12 offices across the country provide advice and services to more than 200,000 travellers every year. Our Exclusive Tours division is recognized as the leading river cruise, expedition and small ship travel wholesaler in Canada, the Exclusive Tours team of experts now also offers golf, ski, tours, resort/hotel product and advice to several hundred travel agencies across Canada. Context Travel is a network of scholars and experts in such fields as art history, archaeology, gastronomy, and architecture who organize and lead thematic walking seminars in eight cities: Rome, Paris, New York, London, Naples, Florence, Venice, and Istanbul. These informative and innovative tours are available in Canada through Exclusive Tours. For more information, please visit www.exclusivetours.ca and www.merit.ca.