Cambridge Bay (Feb 21/05) - There's a new deal coming for the territory's tourism industry and it's bringing with it economic development dollars and a data collection system.

Economic Development and Transportation Minister David Simailak and Nunavut Tourism chairman Bill Lyall inked a memorandum of understanding in Cambridge Bay, Feb. 15, calling on partners to develop initiatives such as setting voluntary standards, marketing, promotion, product development and operator training.

"The training is the biggest part," said Lyall, adding once Nunavummiut learn more about the tourism industry it will increase several times over.

Exactly how much money will be involved is yet to be determined.

"There'll hopefully be some new money involved and a reallocation of some economic development funds (from other sources)," said Reuben Murphy, director of economic development and innovation with the territorial department.

These initiatives have been in the works since Nunavut became a territory in 1999, Lyall said.

"Tourism is very important," he said, later estimating the industry was worth about $8 million in 2004. "It has the greatest potential to help Nunavut become self-sufficient."

Pointing to the three hotels and multiple outfitters operating in his home of Cambridge Bay, Lyall said the opportunities for tourism growth are real for the entire territory.

"Nunavut is a land full of many world-class attractions," said Simailak. "The tourism dollar stretches far. It gives people in communities a chance to develop their own businesses."

While much was said about the spirit of co-operation between the public and private sectors on the tourism front, Gjoa Haven economic development officer Roy Shields said when it comes to product development, there's still a long way to go.

"You're always going to get that guy who wants to come up to shoot a polar bear," he said. "But to get a plane of people to come up for a five-day circle tour of five communities will be a challenge."

Gjoa Haven tourism has benefited from the ongoing interest in the failed Franklin expedition. He said building around existing attractions such as this will require tours to be planned down to the minute if Nunavut hopes to attract larger, more lucrative groups.

When it comes to marketing the territory as a destination, he said it's not enough to send out the message, "We're Nunavut, aren't we wonderful."

"We need something under that big blue sky that pushes potential tourists directly to the operators," he said. "If it's too hard for people to figure out who to call, they'll lose interest and go somewhere else."