Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Tourism is big business in the north, in fact, it is the third biggest employer and revenue generator behind mining and government. In the western Arctic, several thousand people are employed either part-time or full-time in tourism. At present the NWT receive about 60,000 visitors each year who inject upwards of $55 million into the economy. I attended part of the AGM of Western Arctic Tourism Association's annual meeting held recently here in Yellowknife where the association unveiled its 1998-99 business plan and its tourism strategy document. The association has done a lot of valuable work in response to RWED Minister Kakfwi's direction to the association. The association strategy document has six key objectives:
- to create and build a new identity for the NWT;
- develop a representative, balanced membership base;
- provide support for member's marketing initiatives
- improve market access to community-based and members' products
- provide market research and analyses to keep northern companies abreast of trends;
- maintain a dynamic partnership
Western Arctic Tourism Association's President, Shaunet McNeil and its executive director, Eric Yaxley, have stated that underlying the six objectives identified in the strategy document are some fundamental concerns, which are:
That funding support for the GNWT be maintained.
- McNeil points out that this funding is a resource for communities to build on and that any deterioration in the financial support from the government will directly affect the economic base of many operators and as a result the employment levels of community people.
- The industry needs reassurance that, as we get closer to division, the government address the concerns of image for the western Arctic.
- The association wants the government to have a greater focus on tourism and reinvest in the industry and its marketing efforts.
- These, I think, are vital as far as the industry is concerned. Now that the association has its act together, it is apparent the industry needs government support to take the next steps. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
--Applause