November 4, 2011 - Minister David Ramsay gave his inaugural speech as the Minister of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) and spoke about the importance of tourism in the Northwest Territories (NWT) at the NWT Tourism Conference and Annual General Meeting this week.

Minister Ramsay recognized the efforts of NWT Tourism staff and Board of Directors, the Tourism Marketing Advisory Committee (TMAC), the Aboriginal Tourism Champions Advisory Council and tourism owners and operators across the territory. He outlined how the GNWT is committed to working with the tourism industry and Aboriginal organizations to grow and develop the Aboriginal tourism sector in the NWT, as well as highlighted GNWT tourism funding programs such as the Tourism Training Fund.

“Not only will this training fund help to increase the number of people with the skills necessary to obtain work in tourism, it will also help to provide NWT tourism employers with a workforce trained to meet their needs,”  said Minister Ramsay. “I have great confidence in our tourism sector and look forward to working with the tourism industry to explore ways to attract more visitors to our beautiful territory”.

The Tourism Training Fund will cover up to 75 per cent of training costs for businesses or individuals engaged in or employed in nearly any tourism sector in the NWT and will enhance the skills of people working in the tourism industry.

TMAC was established in 2006 as a consultative body for the Minister of ITI. The Committee represents the broad interests of the NWT’s private sector government and tourism industry. Its role is to set priorities and strategies for the promotion and marketing of the NWT by facilitating industry input and leveraging knowledge, networks and financial partnerships.

The Tourism Champions Advisory Council was established in the summer of 2011 to assist in the establishment of a sustainable Aboriginal Tourism Strategy for the NWT.  Council members will provide leadership and direction to the tourism industry, help to identify development opportunities for Aboriginal tourism, and promote Aboriginal tourism in communities across the NWT.

To learn more about ITI’s Tourism Training Programs, visit the links below or go to http://www.iti.gov.nt.ca/tourismparks/tourismtraining.shtml.

 

Tourism Training Programs Overview

Tourism Training Fund Guidelines

Tourism Training Fund Application Form

Aboriginal Tourism Champions Advisory Council

 

For more information contact:

Alayna Ward
Manager, Public Affairs and Communications
Industry, Tourism and Investment
Government of the Northwest Territories
867-920-8696