DELINE, NWT (September 11, 2014) – An Aboriginal tourism initiative between the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) and the community of Délįnę is proving to be a viable model for attracting tour groups to the territory’s smaller communities.
Destination Délįnę specializes in providing traditional Aboriginal experiences and recently welcomed its first tour group to the community. The visitors had the opportunity to participate in checking fish nets, berry picking, making bannock, story-telling, a hand games tournament and a community drum dance.
“I commend the people of Délįnę for their hard work and effort to develop and promote their community as a travel destination,” said Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment David Ramsay. “There is strong interest in the tourism industry for meaningful and authentic travel experiences, and this is exactly what Destination Délįnę offers. This is an excellent example of how other smaller communities can gain profile in the travel industry.”
“Aboriginal traditions and customs are important to the people of the NWT. I applaud Délįnę, the birthplace of ice hockey in Canada, for creating this remarkable tourism initiative that welcomes visitors with a true cultural experience,” said Norman Yakeleya, MLA for Sahtu.
The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) is working with the Aboriginal Tourism Champions Advisory Council (ATCAC) to develop a strategy that will capitalize on trending interest in Canada’s North and meet the growing demand for non-consumptive tourism products highlighting Aboriginal cultural experiences.
The Destination Délįnę initiative is responsive to recommendations in the NWT Economic Opportunities Strategy, developed to realize the 17th Legislative Assembly’s priority to strengthen and diversify the NWT economy.
For more information, contact:
Leslie Campbell
Senior Communications Officer
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
Tel: (867) 920-3343
Email: leslie_campbell@gov.nt.ca