Profile: NWT Tourism Sector

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Tourism is the largest renewable resource based industry in the Northwest Territories (NWT). Within the economy it is considered an export, and it brings new dollars into the territory and generates employment for many northerners. The industry spans several sectors including food services, accommodations, tour operators, transportation, and attractions.

TOURISM IN THE NWT

In 2016/17, the tourism industry resulted in $201.4 million in visitor spending in the NWT – an all-time high. The NWT’s tourism sector is comprised of seven main segments: aurora viewing, fishing, general touring, hunting, outdoor adventure, visiting friends and relatives, and business travel.

Over the past decade, the NWT has been successful in expanding the Aurora viewing market. In 2016/17, aurora visitors spent approximately $50 million with the majority of travelers being from Japan, China and Korea. This represents an approximate 220% increase from 2012/13.

Business travel accounts for over 40% of tourism spending. There is significant opportunity to attract meetings and small conventions to the NWT. An increase number of business travelers are participating in guided tourism activities during their business trip. 

Note: Methodology for data collection was adjusted in 2016-17 to more accurately segment General Touring and Outdoor Adventure visitors. This adjustment must be taken into account when considering historical comparisons.

TERRITORIAL PARKS

The NWT has 32 territorial parks that are an important part of the tourism industry. Park visitor numbers in 2017 reached an all-new high of 35,050 – a 20.2% increase over the previous year.  

TOURISM LICENSES

All guided commercial tourism activities in the NWT require a Tourism Operator License. As of September 2017, the number of licensed tourism operators rose to an all-time high of 140.

SUPPORT FOR THE SECTOR

In 2016/17, the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment invested $2.5 million into the tourism sector in addition to providing funding to NWT Tourism, the destination marketing organization for the territory.