FORT SIMPSON - When tourists come to the Deh Cho and discover their cell phones can't find a signal, it can be a shock.

Being out of cell phone contact is a serious issue for some people, said Wendy Groat of Deh Cho Suites. Lack of cell phone reception is just one barrier to tourism.

Sue Sibbeston of Bannockland Bed and Breakfast emphasizes a point during a discussion about how to overcome barriers to tourism during a product development workshop in Fort Simpson. - Roxanna Thompson/NNSL photo

From March 13 to 14, residents involved in the tourism sector discussed what is working with tourism and what problems need to be addressed during a regional product development workshop hosted by the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) in Fort Simpson.

The workshop was designed to bring people from the region together to talk about tourism products that can be developed or enhanced, and barriers to the products and solutions, said Raquel Michaud, manager of Parks and Tourism for ITI.

Fifteen participants from Trout Lake, Jean Marie River and Fort Simpson discussed various tourism options from bird watching to heli-skiing and how they can be developed and what stands in their way.

The gathering brought on some good discussion, said Michaud. One of the first steps in building tourism is acknowledging the barriers, she said.

"I think it's got the ball rolling," said Michaud.

Looking at the current foundations for local tourism is a good place to start, said Sue Sibbeston, of Bannockland Bed and Breakfast, during the workshop.

"Everything else will start to fall into place," said Sibbeston.

The small number of restaurants in Fort Simpson is one of the big barriers to tourism, Sibbeston said. Asking the owners what they need and how other businesses can help is one solution, she said.

Bringing together tourism operators to discuss these barriers is the first step in a long process that the government of the Northwest Territories is working through to develop tourism, said Michaud. Product development is part of the Tourism 2010 plan that outlines the investments and steps the government will take to develop tourism.

The information gathered at the workshop will be used to identify which barriers ITI can help address, Michaud said.

Product development is the key to unlocking the door for tourism for the area, said Gerd Fricke, regional superintendent for ITI.

Without businesses there is nothing to market, but the ideas have to come from the community level, he said.

"It all depends on the people who will be the driving force behind it."