John Caton

Nicknamed Cowboy, John Caton is a force in Canada's tourism industry. With a product that has gained worldwide attention, and clients like Scarlett Johansson, Sarah McLachlan, the founder of Google and a long list of the rich, famous and influential, John and his wife Adele have created a business that many envy, but few really understand.

Before getting into tourism, John travelled many paths. He was a wild kid who later traveled the world working, Yukon included. After meeting his wife Adele, they drove west where he started his first successful business near Comox, BC. Called back to Ontario by the family business, John spent 5 years in real estate development before escaping to a farm on Georgian Bay – at least that was the plan. One year later, John went from gentleman farmer to music mogul. Working with A&M and Warner Brothers managing such Canadian legends as Blue Rodeo and Prairie Oyster, John quickly became a high flyer in the business of rock and roll. In 1989, at the age of 39, John survived a major coronary and began to think about life and the things that really matter. John returned to his family farm and started dreaming up his next act – this time in the hospitality business.

John and Adele applied for jobs at a luxury retreat near their home and started their apprenticeship housekeeping, looking after hunting dogs and whatever else was needed. Adele started studying entrepreneurship in college using their business plan for a wilderness resort as her thesis. After meeting entrepreneur Richard Genovese, who had his own dream of building a luxury eco-tourism destination, the Clayoquot Wilderness Lodge was born. Twelve years later, Clayoquot Wilderness Resort continues to offer wilderness vacations of a lifetime, while conserving the land and helping British Columbia's tourism industry become a world leader in sustainability.

Featured on the must-stay lists of Forbes, Conde Nast and National Geographic, John has created a premier eco-safari destination. Join him, as he introduces us to a world few have the privilege to experience, and speaks to our potential here in the Yukon. Read more about John here.

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