Doug Ashbury
Northern News Services

NNSL (Jul 22/98) - Most tourists are choosing to roll into town, according to a Northern Frontier Regional Visitors Centre spokesperson.

"We're seeing 10 to 15 RVs (recreational vehicles) or campers per day," the centre's general manager, Kathie Adam said.

Many are coming North of 60 from south of the Canada-U.S. border, she said.

Many American tourists are taking advantage of the Canadian dollar which recently fell to a record low. The dollar traded closed unchanged at 67.17 Monday.

"American tourists are coming from all over the U.S.," she said.

On overall tourism numbers, Adam said it is difficult to tell how the number of visitors to Yellowknife compared to last year. Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development is currently conducting an exit survey which will give a fuller picture of Northern visitors.

Adam did provide visitor numbers to the Frontier Centre.

Numbers are down.

So far this month, the centre has served 551 people -- that's people buying an item of making an inquiry. This compares with 1,980 people for all of July 1997.

Last month, 688 people visited the centre compared to 1,237 in June a year ago.

But the 1998 figures do not include people visiting the city by bus. This year, tourists travelling by bus get an information package from the tour operator instead of visiting the centre.

Adam also said that 250 Ingraham Trail passes have been sold in June and July this year, up from 1997.

Ragged Ass Road signs remain one of the centre's most popular items.

And though the centre ran out of signs recently, they were expecting the next shipment this week.

Adam estimates about 400 of the street signs have sold in the last three months.

As well as Northern signs, Northern foods have proved popular.

The centre recently started selling products like smoked char and char jerky.

It remains to be seen how the forest fires will effect the number of people coming to Yellowknife.