CORAL HARBOUR - Wes Werbowy of Wilderness Consultants has dedicated more than 20 years of his life to helping develop Nunavut's tourism industry.

Werbowy was dismayed recently when he received a call from a returning tourist who had a less-than-enjoyable experience.

The tourist claimed he was treated so badly in Nunavut, he would never return nor recommend it to anyone.

Werbowy said when a tourist or sport hunter has such a bad experience, all of Nunavut's tourism products get tarred by the same brush.

He said the outfitter in charge of the nightmarish trip may not have realized the harm being done to those involved with positive tourism efforts.

"Although guide training has been accomplished with positive results, those who wished to enter into outfitting were given no tools to do so," said Werbowy.

"Many don't see the different focus of each career.

"The guide is responsible for the safety and wellbeing of the visitor, while the outfitter is responsible for the promotion, marketing and overall image and conduct of his or her business."

Werbowy said the very future of tourism in Nunavut depends on the perceptions that leave with visiting tourists.

He said those who have pleasant experiences will recommend the North to others.

But those who suffer bad experiences can do irreparable harm.

"It is this negative wordofmouth advertising that is the most damaging, and no amount of advertising dollars can combat it," he said.

Although still in its infancy in Coral Harbour, tourism brings more than $500,000 into the local economy annually.

Werbowy began talks with Coral Harbour Economic Development Officer Teresa Thompson and SAO Ronald Ladd to provide training to local outfitters so mistakes made elsewhere wouldn't be repeated there.

The result was a mix of well-established, new and future outfitters attending a three week training course.

Course participants Luke Eetuk, Aaron Emiktowt, David Matoo, Jake Netser, Joe Netser and Kavavow Pee all felt their time with Werbowy was too short, but the insights they gained will put them years ahead of their competitors.

"I was really uneducated before I took this training," said Emiktowt.

"It will be helpful to my business, especially when it comes to using tact in my letter writing and communicating better with my future clients.

"I also learned a little bit on good ethics that I'll now use to run my business better."

Joe Netser said those who organized the program deserve a great deal of thanks.

"The course was very interesting and informative," said Joe.

"The material we got from this course can help us grow our businesses and grow as people."