Funding supports increased awareness of tourism opportunities to Canadians, and bolsters demand for Northern operators, and creates good jobs for Northerners
June 3, 2022 - Yellowknife, Northwest Territories - Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
The Northwest Territories is a tourist destination for Canadians and international travelers alike seeking a unique vacation experience. The territory has much to offer, from distinctive Indigenous cultures, unique communities and events to visit, vast and diverse landscapes to explore, great fishing, and stunning auroras to experience firsthand.
The pandemic has had an undeniable impact on NWT tourism and, like the travel industry worldwide, the sector continues to face challenges as the world begins to travel again. The NWT is once again a desirable destination for travellers and tourism operators are ready to seize this opportunity and adapt and grow.
A strong tourism industry is a key component of NWT's economy. This investment by the Government of Canada will support NWT's tourism businesses, organizations and communities so they are well positioned for sustainable growth and success moving forward.
Federal investment supports two tourism projects in NWT
Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan and Minister for CanNor, announced that the Government of Canada, through CanNor, is investing nearly one million dollars to promote NWT tourism development through two projects:
Northwest Territories Tourism - Domestic Recovery Marketing
- $475,000 supporting a two-year domestic marketing campaign by Northwest Territories Tourism aiming to attract more Canadian visitors. The project includes a new regional partnership promoting tourism development and marketing in Alberta, with a focus on major Northern transport hubs such as Edmonton. Development of the Alberta market for NWT tourism will also include initiatives such as travel package promotions aligned with new airline partnerships, a new website and marketing of summer road trips into the territory. This campaign will bolster awareness of NWT's tourism sector as it ramps up to meet demand while recovering from the significant economic impacts of the pandemic.
Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation - Tuktoyaktuk Strategic Direction and Heritage
- $500,000 from CanNor, and a further $200,000 from Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada, to the Tuktoyaktuk Community Corporation (TCC) for a two-year project to improve community readiness and grow capacity for its tourism sector. This includes hiring a project manager who will support the implementation of eight recommendations from the Tuktoyaktuk Strategic Directions and Action Plan. The project manager will work on increasing economic opportunities and help to improve the quality of life for community members. As well, a project coordinator will oversee the implementation of a marketing strategy for the planned construction of the Tuktoyaktuk Centre for Arts & Culture, which will help showcase Inuvialuit Culture to tourists. The coordinator will also hold a series of stakeholder consultations and community engagement sessions to raise awareness and build support for the project.
