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Katherine Johnson, left, Olivia Tagalik, and Louisa Gibbons, sit together at the inaugural Tourism in Nunavut Conference, held in Iqaluit from March 19 to 23. - Jeanne Gagnon/NNSL photo

IQALUIT
The inaugural Tourism in Nunavut conference was a success, say organizers, with more delegates attending than expected.

The five-day conference, held in Iqaluit from March 19 to 23, featured talks on the strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and challenges of the sport hunting and fishing industry; tourism trends; advice on getting funding for tourism businesses; results of research on the cruise ship industry; and the advantages of community-led and cultural tourism, for instance.

Colleen Dupuis, chief executive officer of Nunavut Tourism, said the organization had originally hoped to get 100 delegates but ended up with 167. The conference's objective was to hear concerns in the industry, provide a forum for people to share information, learn new things and maybe form new partnerships, she added.

"We ended up with more delegates than we had originally hoped so we are absolutely ecstatic with the results. And the attendance every day has been outstanding," said Dupuis. "It's been a huge success."

The organization is unsure if it will do the conference next year but instead will probably host one every few years, she added.

Louisa Gibbons, a community host in Arviat, said the conference was a good opportunity to meet new people and learn new things.

"I learned a lot through this and it was worth it," she said. "I'm glad I'm here. It's a good opportunity."

Vicki Aitaok, the cruise ship co-ordinator in Cambridge Bay, said attending was worth it for the networking, the information provided and the knowledge gathered.

"The speakers are very good. They connect together," she said. "I don't have any complaints at all. It's just been a really fabulous experience."

She added the conference was an opportunity for her to network with some of the outfitters and reconnect with cruise ship companies.

Morris Kuniliusee, owner of True North Outfitting Services in Qikiqtarjuaq, said this conference was different from others he attended, as more people were present.

"I really enjoyed it. Seems like I enjoyed it more than the others I have attended before," he said.

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