Derek Neary
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 25/02) - Eight Deh Cho residents got some insight into the tourism industry through a three-week "Tourism Careers for Youth" pre-employment course that wrapped up last week.

How to handle customers and how to work as a team were among the lessons learned, said workshop graduate Edward Villeneuve.

"The key thing is to have a positive attitude towards others," Villeneuve said at a recognition ceremony on Friday afternoon.

Those who completed the course received a certificate endorsed by the Canadian Tourism Human Resource Council. The participants were also certified in First Aid, WHIMIS, Food Safety and Northern Most Host.

As well, instructors Tonya Makletzoff and Eileen Marlowe shared tips on how to start one's own business.

The course was sponsored by various territorial government departments and the Deh Cho Business Development Centre.

Participants Sharon Kotchea and Cari Jumbo, both of Trout Lake, said they are considering careers in the tourism industry. Lance Ellis, another participant, said he would like to invest in an existing hotel and restaurant that he could renovate.

Ted Grant, a local air charter owner for more than 20 years, told the graduates that tourism is the number one industry in the world, number two in Canada, but just number five in the NWT. Grant, who recently returned from trade missions in Germany and Switzerland, said he's trying to bring more European tourists to the Deh Cho.

Gerd Fricke, the Deh Cho's regional tourism development officer, told the graduates that there are "terrific opportunities" in this region for those who aspire to work with existing tourism operators or establish their own businesses.

Mayor Tom Wilson added that getting the word out is half the battle.

"We're still one of the best kept secrets in the world," Wilson said of Fort Simpson and the surrounding area.