City of Yellowknife
Less than 1 min.read

Tourism 2020 on-pace after record breaking year

Cameron Wilkinson
By Cameron Wilkinson

Tourism is reaching new heights for the Northwest Territories.

The 2016-17 numbers are in, and for the first time, visitor spending surpassed the $200 million mark. That was thanks to over 100,000 visitors travelling to the NWT.

The numbers show progress toward the GNWT’s five-year strategy to increase tourism. The overall goal of Tourism 2020 projects the territory at bringing in $207 million annually by 2021.

Close to $50 million of the spending came from aurora viewing, a 23% increase.

Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Wally Schumann, says the record-breaking numbers are proof Tourism 2020 is working.

“The Department, local tourism operators, and our destination marketing organization NWT Tourism, are working together to build this sector – and with it, the strength and diversity of our regional economies.”

The GNWT says that as the single largest renewable resource-based industry in the NWT, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment is committed to growing the sector and the economic opportunities it creates.

Cameron Wilkinson
Cameron Wilkinson
News Reporter

Continue Reading

You may also like



cjcd Now playing play

- Advertisement -

Related Articles

- Advertisement -

Latest News

Youth engage with Tłı̨chǫ language in unconventional immersive spaces

Northwest Territories
While in-person On the Land learning continues to be central to Tłı̨chǫ language revitalization, the Tłı̨chǫ language division is looking at ways to engage with youth through new immersive platforms, like virtual spaces, that honour history and traditions. Danielle Dacanay with the Tłı̨chǫ Government’s Language Division emphasized that virtual resources are supplements to learning the language in the traditional way, they are not a replacement for it.

New microgrant stream wants youth to plant language seeds outside school

Northwest Territories
“100 youth projects wanted in French,” a new microgrant program wants youth to plant language learning seeds outside school. A network of action-research teams in Canada, other parts of North America, Africa and Europe is launching a youth grant stream to support French language engagement outside of conventional spaces. Youth across the country aged 14 to 30 are eligible for 100 microgrants in support of grassroots initiatives as part of this program run by the Dialogue Network.

Water testing at another Yellowknife school confirms elevated lead and copper

Northwest Territories
Testing at another school site in the city of Yellowknife showed elevated levels of lead and copper in water present in some of its drinking taps. Earlier this month, testing showed four other school buildings in Yellowknife and a school in Behchokǫ̀ had elevated levels of both copper and lead in water. Since comprehensive testing of schools across the territory began this fall, 28 school sites out of 34 announced to date have tested positive for elevated levels of lead.

Testing at more NWT buildings confirms lead in water

Northwest Territories
Fort Smith officials said water testing at municipal buildings has confirmed the presence of lead. According to the announcement, water samples at the Town Hall, the Fire Hall, and the Municipal Services Building continue to show elevated levels of lead.

City wants public input on plans to expand raw water supply in Yellowknife

City of Yellowknife
City officials are looking for the public’s input on a project that aims to expand Yellowknife’s raw water supply. According to the message from city officials, the project will “modernize and expand” the water system. By expanding the system, city officials also want to expand the reliability of the long term water supply. With water infrastructure aging, an adequate water supply will be critical as the city grows.