Yellowknife (Feb 12/03) - Japanese tourists visiting Yellowknife spend virtually nothing on tobacco, alcohol, or taxis, the GNWT has learned.

And jewellery and carvings aren't very popular purchases either.

Those discoveries came via a survey of Japanese tourists completed last year by the Department of Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development.

The results were released yesterday. The survey found:

• Four of six visitors visited Vancouver on the same trip, and 28 per cent also visited Niagara Falls.
• The Northern Lights were easily the most popular attraction.
• Skating was the least popular activity.
• Cultural tours and snowshoe tours were the most popular activities.
• 26.9 per cent spent less than $10 on souvenirs, while 5.6 per cent spent between $500 and $1000.
• 71.9 per cent spent less than $10 on arts and crafts.