2017/2018 Tourism Numbers Breaks Records - Again | Government of Northwest Territories

Today, the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment, Wally Schumann announced that tourism numbers have reached record heights in the Northwest Territories (NWT) in 2017-18. For the first time, over 110,000 visitors travelled to the NWT with spending totaling just over $203 million in the process.

These numbers represent continued improvements in the tourism sector after an extraordinary 2016/2017 fiscal year. They put the NWT on the right path to reach the target set in Tourism 2020 — the GNWT’s five year strategy for tourism development — of increasing the NWT tourism industry’s value to $207 million by 2021.

In addition to the increase in tourism numbers there is also a 17% increase in the aurora viewing sector for a contribution of more than $55 million to the economy. Leisure visitors increased by 4% year-over-year, bringing the five-year increase to 30%, while business travel reached a five-year high.

As the single largest renewable resource-based industry in the NWT, the GNWT is committed to growing this sector and the economic opportunities it creates.

Quote:

“These continued improvements in the tourism numbers across the NWT are promising for the future of our growing industry. It is clear that we’re on-track to deliver on the ambitions of Tourism 2020, which is a good indication that our investments are 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.”
-Wally Schumann, Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment

Quick Facts:

Total spending amounted to $203.4 million vs. $201.4 million last year. 2016/2017’s increase was 21%.
112,530 people visited the NWT this year vs. 108,480 in the 2016/2017 fiscal year. 2016/2017’s numbers were a 16% increase over the prior year.
Over the last five years, visitor numbers have increased by 19%, including a 30% increase for leisure travelers.
The five-year increase for visitor spending sits at 48% including a 75% increase in spending on leisure activities.

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2017/2018 Tourism Numbers Breaks Records - Again