News Release:Tourism Licensing Renewal Fees Waived for Third Year Running

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The Government of the Northwest Territories (GNWT) has waived tourism renewal licensing fees for the third year in a row, as the global pandemic continues to impact the tourism industry.

Under the Tourism Act, all tourism operators providing commercial tourism activities in the Northwest Territories (NWT) are required to have a valid Tourism Operator Licence (TOL) with prescribed support documents including proof of insurance.

As part of the ongoing measures to support the struggling tourism industry in the NWT, waiving licensing renewal fees for 2022-2023 will provide relief to operators and help them focus on readying and promoting their businesses to plan for the lifting of restrictions.

To date, the GNWT’s Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI) has provided numerous supports for the industry since the start of the pandemic, with the Growth and Recovery by Investing in Tourism (GRIT), the Supplement for Tourism Accommodation Relief (STAR), the Pandemic Relief Extension Program (PREP), and the most recent, Tourism Restart Investment Program (TRIP).

Quote

“Tourism operators in the Northwest Territories have been incredibly resilient throughout the height of the pandemic. This relief measure allows operators to save money and prepare their businesses to welcome visitors back to the territory when restrictions are lifted.”

-Caroline WawzonekMinister of Industry, Tourism, and Investment  

Quick facts

  • The Tourism Act requires all TOL holders providing commercial tourism activities to maintain a minimum of $1 million liability insurance. 
  • The Tourism Regulations set the fees at $0 for 2022-23.

The reduction in fees would mean an estimated total of $29,225 in renewal fees would not be collected in 2022-23. Fees associated with significant amendments are $355 per amendment, which would not be collected if significant amendments are requested in 2022-23.

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For media requests, please contact:

Jacqueline McKinnon

Industry, Tourism and Investment

Government of the Northwest Territories

Jacqueline_McKinnon@gov.nt.ca

867-767-9202 ext. 63039