Inuvik (May 03/04) - Huge expectations have been placed on this year's tourist industry, said Colleen Mitchell, the Inuvik tourism co-ordinator.

"I think we're going to see a surge of tourists this year," said Mitchell.

Judith Venaas agrees, but adds a caution.

"That's dependent on the weather," said Venaas, regional tourism officer for the GNWT Resources, Wildlife and Economic Development department. "We want to get people up to Inuvik to spend money."

Special events - the 25th anniversary of the Dempster Highway, the Western Canada Premier's Conference, the consecration of the new Masonic Lodge and the End of the Road Music Festival in August - should bring extra people and dollars into the local economy, said Venaas.

The Delta averages between 5,000 and 7,000 visitors each summer.

Most drive the Dempster to get here and come for specific events like the Great Northern Arts Festival.

Tuktoyaktuk is the most popular attraction. People usually take an afternoon flight to the coastal community to dip their toes in the Arctic Ocean and try on traditional parkas.

"Heavy volumes," said Sean Gray with Arctic Nature Tours of his expectations. This year the company, a subsidiary of the Inuvialuit Development Corporation, will be operated through Akalak Air.

"It should be very busy for everybody," said Gray, who is already getting lots of inquires for the summer.

He credits the anticipated surge to the extra events being offered.

Winter was average

Winter tourism, other than sport hunting, is generally quiet in the Beaufort Delta.

Bed and breakfast operators like Judi Falsnes of Arctic Chalet often broaden out to attract more visitors.

In the winter she offers dog sledding, a popular attraction. She said this winter wasn't too busy for the chalet. Most of her guests were business people, government travellers and scientists.

Venaas said there were a few tours over the winter, including five Japanese tourists who drove from Toronto to experience the North.

Venaas said she sees regional jamborees as a big attraction for the future as long as the dates are nailed down at least six months in advance.