ARVIAT
A tourism company in Arviat that beat out large-scale competition to win one of the most prestigious tourism awards available, is going to continue doing what works, according to its co-ordinator.

Photo courtesy of Arviat Community Ecotourism A group of tourists take in the sight of a polar bear just outside Arviat in the Hudson Bay in March 2014. - Photo credit: Michelle Valberg

Arviat Community Ecotoursim (ACE) was given the Tourism for Tomorrow Community Award by the World Travel and Toursim Council in Hanian, China in April.

It was one of six finalists out of thousands of tourism companies worldwide.

"They made the brave decision to support a sustainable future for their community by developing responsible tourism projects," the WTTC's website states.

"Their belief was that tourists would want to travel to their distant outpost to share in their lifestyles, listen to their elders telling stories, and witness the remarkable patterns of a lifestyle based around age old rhythms of hunting, festivals and games.

"Thankfully they were right, and tourists now come from all over to share in their pastimes and soak up such memorable sights as the caribou migration in May, whale watching in summer and the polar bear migration in autumn."

Olivia Tagalik, one of the co-ordinators and Mike Robbins, a founding partner with the company were flown to China for the council's yearly assembly.

Tagalik told Kivalliq News what it was like to receive the award via email this week.

"It was amazing! People in Arviat have something really unique here and they were able to share it on the world stage," she said. "It was really great exposure for the community."

The company employs 35 local people full-time and brings in more than $150,000 USD each year to the community.

Tagalik said customers can expect an immersion into Inuit culture with each tour, which run year-long. The authenticity of the experience is what makes Arviat Community Ecotoursim stand out, she said.

Guided tours to various national parks surrounding Arviat and guided hunting trips are part of the experience, and each tour is coupled with cultural programming, including music and performances by drum dancers and throatsingers, and traditional Inuit cuisine prepared by the company's own cooks.

"When you come to Arviat you become part of the community, not just someone passing through," Tagalik stated.

"It's what sets us apart from everyone else. Its also a way of preserving our culture and heritage."

Along with receiving the award, Tagalik also got to take part in the summit in China and got to network with others in the tourism industry.

"Meeting all the great people was the best part," she stated.

"Learning about all the different things happening around the world in tourism and learning from them made it all worth the long trek. There are many things we can apply to ACE.

ACE is just growing and I'm sure it will go through many changes over the years."

She said the company's next goal was to continue doing what works, and getting the word out there about the experience so they can continue preserving and showcasing Inuit culture and heritage.

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