Tanya Smith Cox
Tanya grew up in Churchill, working in the family polar bear viewing business, Tundra Buggy Tours.
← Meet the teamA little more about Tanya.
Tanya’s passion for travel, hospitality, and the great outdoors is rooted in her upbringing in Churchill, Manitoba—the Polar Bear Capital of the World. As part of a pioneering ecotourism family, her roots run deep; her father, Len Smith, even received the Order of Manitoba for building the very first Tundra Buggy from scratch. Tanya carried on this legacy by managing the Tundra Buggy Lodge for over 14 seasons and owning the Bear Country Inn in the late 1990s.
Living in a remote northern town with just a single 17-mile road sparked a lifelong wanderlust. To channel this passion, she interned at a Winnipeg travel agency to master the logistics of the global tourism industry. Her dedication has earned international acclaim, including a World Leading Specialist Holiday Company title for Natural Exposures at the 2014 World Travel Awards, and a Highly Commended distinction at the 2019 Wanderlust UK World Guide Awards.
It was also in Churchill that Tanya met her husband and business partner, Daniel. Today, they spend 10 months of the year exploring the globe together. From their home base in Montana, Tanya runs their stock photography and assignment agency, and meticulously researches and organizes the next photo tour. By blending her organizational skills and travel expertise with Daniel’s professional photography knowledge, she combines adventure and fun for guests, also known as the “Natural Exposures Family.”