Jeff Colbourne
Northern News Services
Yellowknife (Jan 19/01) - Since the city of diamonds and gold began its aurora promotion 10 years ago the number of tourists visiting has dramatically increased to the NWT capital.
At a recent meeting of Canadian In-Bound Tourism Association Pacific members in Vancouver, hoteliers and tour operators from around Canada and the Pacific Rim were encouraged by the increase in Japanese inbound tourism.
Derek Hood, executive director of Japan-Canada Tourism Commission spoke at the conference, and cited the North's unique qualities.
In a follow-up interview with Yellowknifer, from his office in Tokyo, Hood once again proclaimed the fascination Japanese tourists have with Northern Lights and forewarned Northerners to brace for a Japanese invasion again this winter.
"The overall outbound travel from Japan in the last two years has started to increase. We expect it will reach over 17-million this year, which is a record," says Hood. "This increase is occurring despite the still uncertain economic situation in Japan. The economy hasn't recovered from its recession."
Given that this is the 11th year of the aurora cycle, this winter is expected to be one of the best viewing years ever.
According to NASA officials at (www.sunspotcycle.com) every 11 years the sun undergoes a period of activity called the "solar maximum", followed by a period of quiet called the "solar minimum". During the solar maximum there are many sunspots and solar flares. These solar flares emit high-speed particles that cause auroras, making this year's light show more amazing than ever.
"When you ask Japanese about aurora, and ask if they understand the physics of it, probably not many do. They just accept that it happens. It's related to nature. It's got a natural surrounding associated with it. To be able to go to a place like Yellowknife -- where there are wide-open spaces and spectacular scenery in the sky -- to see this is very unusual. It's something they wouldn't get a chance to see here," says Hood.
Many tour operators and travel agents even guarantee at least three nights of aurora viewing during the trip during certain months of the year. Some money may be reimbursed if visitors don't see aurora on any of the three nights, he notes.
"We have to be able to guarantee the product," says Hood. "This is why there has been interest from a few other areas in Canada. They've heard of Yellowknife's success and they want to get in on it."
"The market in Japan takes a while to become established. Once you are established you've got a very loyal following. I think Yellowknife has accomplished that. As long as they keep maintaining the standard Japanese expect, there's no reason to think that they won't always do well."
