October 16, 2018
The Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers met today in Calgary. Agenda items included an update on the state of the Canadian tourism sector by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada and a presentation of research on Canada’s global competitiveness.
For Minister Wally Schumann, it was also an opportunity to meet and connect with colleagues responsible for tourism across Canada. As the NWT’s largest industry outside the resource sector, tourism offers a prime opportunity to bring greater economic diversity to the NWT.
Federal, provincial and territorial ministers discussed the success of the federally-led tourism trade mission to China marking the 2018 Canada-China Year of Tourism.
Minister Wally Schumann led the NWT delegation for the June mission and was on hand to witness the signing of a marketing agreement between Northwest Territories Tourism (NWTT) - the NWT’s Destination Marketing Organization and Flow Creative - a China-based creative agency.
Related:
Agreement to Promote NWT in China Caps Successful Trade Mission
NWT Reaches For Partnerships In China Tourism Mission
Spectacular NWT on Display as Part of Canada’s China Tourism Mission
While in China, NWTT and ITI officials identified Alipay as an important tool to encourage Chinese travellers to choose the NWT as their destination. Last week, in Yellowknife, the NWTT facilitated an opportunity for Yellowknife businesses to learn more about the world-leading online payment platform.
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Among other topics, Canada’s tourism ministers discussed the link between tourism and Canada’s extensive parks infrastructure.
The NWT has traditionally viewed its parks as assets to attract visitors and nature enthusiasts to the territory.
As the current Chair of the Canadian Parks Council, the NWT is advancing the conversation that Parks, once linked to tourism, can provide solid economic opportunities for communities.
In advance of its meetings today, the Canadian Council of Tourism Ministers met with Indigenous leaders.
It was an opportunity for Minister Schumann to highlight the GNWT’s recently-signed Memorandum of Understanding with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to increase investment in Indigenous tourism businesses in the Northwest Territories.
More on the ITAC partnership:
New Partnership Advances Indigenous Cultural Tourism in the NWT