November 26, 2010 - Now is the time to focus on emerging opportunities in the Northwest Territories tourism industry says Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment Bob McLeod.

Speaking to delegates at the NWT Tourism Annual General Meeting and Conference in Inuvik, Minister McLeod says the NWT tourism sector is poised for growth as more travellers seek out authentic, unique experiences – something the Northwest Territories has in abundance.

“There is a large and growing market of travellers looking for authentic experiences,” Minister McLeod noted. “They want to learn something on their trips. They want to know how people once lived, and continue to live, in the destinations they visit.”

To capitalize on those opportunities, Minister McLeod says there must be a focus on diversifying the industry, promoting the territorial system of parks and campgrounds as a tourism product, and developing the Aboriginal tourism sector.

“With more and more travellers looking for authentic Aboriginal cultural experiences to take part in, an opportunity is out there for the tourism industry,” he said. “Now is the time to explore ways to create a sustainable Aboriginal tourism sector.”

By investing over $19 million in the industry in the last four years, the GNWT continues to support a sustainable tourism industry and is working towards diversifying the economy as envisioned in the 16th Legislative Assembly’s Northerners Working Together plan.

For more information, contact:

Darren Campbell
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Tel: (867) 920-8696
Email: Darren_p_campbell@gov.nt.ca