Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Good morning. Mr. Speaker, I would like to congratulate the Minister of Economic Development and Tourism for conducting a recent survey of Japanese tourists here in Yellowknife. A survey of this nature will help Yellowknife and other regions to improve our northern tourism industry. Part of the story that came out says, "the untouristy city and warm and friendly people of Yellowknife drew praise from Japanese visitors in a survey." In fact, 71 per cent of the respondents said that they would recommend to their families or friends a visit to this city, and only three per cent said they would not recommend a trip here. I think if you look around at any time during the wintertime, you will see an awful lot of people from the Pacific Rim visiting our city. They're here to view the northern lights. One of the biggest attractions, Mr. Speaker, and I wish we could export some of it, is the cold. Forty below weather is also an item that tourists from the Pacific Rim areas like to experience for a short time, knowing they can come here and then they can go back where it's warm. But if we could only figure a way of exporting some of this cold weather, we would make a fortune. But they like it.
Also, Mr. Speaker, I have to agree with some of those surveyed who stated that some of the souvenir items are often too large and too expensive to purchase by the average tourist. It says that the price and size of the souvenir, gifts and arts and crafts are an area that the Japanese would like to see changed and improved. According to the survey, a number of the residents stated that these items were often too expensive or too large to purchase. I made those comments to Economic Development the other day during committee of the whole when we were discussing their budget.
Mr. Speaker, having been a tourist myself, I know very well that the size and the weight of items can often determine whether or not they are practical for me to buy and to carry home. An item may be beautiful, but if it is too big and too expensive to put in luggage, and weighs more than the tourist does and it costs much more than they can afford, tourists will probably end up leaving it on the shelves. They were interested in much smaller items.
Mr. Speaker, my time has run out. I seek unanimous consent to continue.