Iqaluit forms tourism association
Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services
Iqaluit (Feb 19/01) - Nunavut's capital now has it's own tourism association, it was announced last week.
Iqaluit business owners and others with an interest in tourism have been meeting regularly for several months to discuss the need for tourism products and infrastructure, according to Rainer Launhardt, president of the Iqaluit Tourism Business Association.
The five-member board will focus on finding "new, innovative ways to serve tourists in Iqaluit," Launhardt, who is also general manager of the Frobisher Inn, said.
"We decided we had to take the initiative to promote Iqaluit," Eric Leuthold, a board member, said.
Leuthold, who runs Polynya, an in-bound tour operator company, says one goal of the organization is to lobby for tourism funding and facilities.
The association's vice-president, Tanya Smith says projects done by the association will be a benefit to the capital's visitors.
"Guests are looking for activities and a co-ordinated effort will offer information about what is available," Smith, who runs the Crazy Caribou Bed and Breakfast, added.
Other board members are Elizabeth Pinter of Urbco's Capital Suites and Glenn Williams of Tukturjuk Outfitting.
The association plans to produce an Iqaluit guide book for hotel rooms, bed and breakfast operations, outfitters, the airport, and retail stores.
The book will guide visitors through Iqaluit and include tourism activities.
The Iqaluit Tourism Business Association will meet monthly.
"The association is focused on getting the ball rolling. "Tourism in Iqaluit is in its infancy and there needs to be a lot of strategic thought and planning put into how to grow the tourism business," Nunastar Properties president Doug Cox said. Nunastar owns the Frobisher Inn.
Madeleine Redfern, executive director of Nunavut Tourism, said the territorial association and the new town association will work in partnership.
"We can assist them with marketing and programs and how they can tie in with ours," Redfern said.
"More awareness and support for tourism is beneficial to everyone," she said.
Redfern estimates Nunavut visitor numbers rose 30 per cent from 1998 to 1999. Nunavut has about 30,000 visitors per year, she adds.
Territory wide, the industry is estimated to be worth $60 million.
Four out of five visitors to Nunavut are business travellers, Redfern said.
Tourism products can be developed for the business traveller, like half-day or full-day dog-sled or floe-edge trips, she said.
"We're hiring a visitors centre manager. That person will be able to assist in developing business partnerships."
Nunavut Tourism is working on a tourism economic benefit report which it will tabled the Legislative Assembly.
That report may sway the Nunavut Government to decide an increased investment in tourism will generate bigger tourism returns for the territory.
Nunavut Tourism gets $1.2 million per year from the territorial government.
