Andrea Markey
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Sep 19/05) - Some summers Pangnirtung sees one or two cruise ships dock in its waters. This year there were seven - the most ever.

"This summer put us in a good position for the rest of the year," said Peter Wilson, general manager of the Uqqurmiut Centre for Arts and Crafts.

Each ship leaves an average of $15,000 behind at the centre - a significant amount for the economy of the community, he said.

Three of those seven ships were from a new operator, Cruise North Expeditions, a subsidiary of the Nunavik Inuit-owned Makivik Corporation.

The company is planning a similar itinerary next year, continuing to stop in Cape Dorset, Kimmirut and Pangnirtung. It is also looking at adding a North Baffin stop in Clyde River, Pond Inlet or Arctic Bay, said Dugald Wells, president of Cruise North.

Four hundred people cruised Northern waters this year and that is just the beginning, he said.

"We're here for the long term and are committed to working with Northern communities," he said. "There are a lot more ways people can benefit from cruise ships. We would gladly listen to proposals and ideas for different shore activities."

Four different cruise companies docked in Kimmirut this year, with the last one leaving just over a week ago.

The economic benefit varies with each ship, depending on the passengers and the length of time they spend on shore, said Kyra Fisher, economic development officer for Kimmirut.

Passengers from each ship spent between $4,000 and $15,000 this year.

"We are trying to offer something different that other communities don't," she said. "Expanding the tour guides to cover eco-tourism is one example."

Back to the people

The ships are charged a landing fee of between $20 to $25 per person. Most of that goes back to community members as payment for guiding cruise passengers, performing and making food, said Ooleepeeka Arnaqaq, manager of the Angmarlik Visitors Centre in Pangnirtung.

A fashion show and walking tour were among the highlights for the two cruise ships that docked in Grise Fiord this summer, said Jimmie A. Qappik, the hamlet's economic development officer.

"Also, people were thrilled with a visitors certificate handed to each of them by the mayor," he said.

Making people feel welcome and providing a good program helps keep the ships coming back, he said.