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NUNAVUT - Nunavut Tourism is asking Nunavummiut to look at their communities from the perspective of a visitor and think about the goods and services they may require.

From left, Ida Hokanak, Kari Miyok and Kyle Power share a laugh at the SuperHost training workshop in Kugluktuk last November. - photo courtesy of Nunavut Tourism

“I think there is huge potential for tourism to become a bigger industry in Nunavut because many people have an interest in the Arctic, Inuit culture, the wilderness and the environment,” said Olivia Brown, manager of communications and public relations.

“I think it’s a great opportunity for Nunavummiut because tourism is a sustainable industry, so it can keep people going for generations.”

In an effort to give Nunavummiut some of the skills to develop the industry in their home communities, Nunavut Tourism is delivering SuperHost training workshops around the territory.

A worldwide certificate program, SuperHost Fundamentals teaches participants customer service skills, applicable to the tourism industry as well as other service-based fields.

After sending three of its staff to Vancouver to become certified program trainers, Nunavut Tourism held its first SuperHost course in Rankin Inlet last year.

This past November, the trainers were invited to Cambridge Bay, Kugluktuk and Gjoa Haven to put on workshops for a variety of participants, from high school and college students, to public servants and entrepreneurs.

Alison Dubeau, membership services co-ordinator for Nunavut Tourism and certified SuperHost trainer, was one of the facilitators for the Kitikmeot region.

“I would teach them things like handling customers’ concerns by using their listening skills, how to go the extra mile and what the extra mile means, using and remembering names and making conversation with people,” she said. “We also talk about the value of tourism in the course and it opens their eyes as to what their community has to offer.”

Warren Burles, economic development officer for Kugluktuk, was impressed with the presentation of the course and the response from participants.

“It was easy, well-presented and everybody was involved in it,” he said. “It wouldn’t hurt anyone to go into that class for the day.”

While the community isn’t a cruise ship destination like Cambridge Bay, Burles can envision various scenic attractions in the area that could appeal to tourists.

Tourism in Kugluktuk is “probably largely untapped and probably the sky is the limit,” he said.