Multiple Yukon Tourism Records Broken in 2018

Tuesday, 11 June 2019 11:44

After an annual 2018 year-end report showed record growth across Yukon's tourism industry last year, Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendy's says growth in the sector looks promising in the years to come.

After an annual 2018 year-dnd report showed record growth across Yukon's tourism industry last year, Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendy's says growth in the sector looks promising in the years to come.

Dendy's says Yukon's recently unveiled Yukon Tourism Development Strategy, which aims to double tourism spending by 2028 in the Yukon to $525 million, and tourism investments of $300,000 towards a Yukon First Nation tourism strategy, as just some initiatives that have increased visitor spending in the territory to almost $348 million in 2018.

Dendy's saying focusing on tourism growth in off-peak period times has also contributed to the development of the sector in the territory.

"In 2017, we had a record tourism year, and 2018 surpassed that. We're really working on the shoulder seasons and into the winter. That includes marketing in different ways (for the seasons). It's really paid off."

Dendy's says major infrastructure projects like the paving of the Dawson City runway as other incentives that have helped Yukon tourism growth.

"It's a huge tourism benefit to operators such as Air North and Alcan flying in and out of Dawson as well as medical services to the community. A paved runway is a huge benefit to that community. So, when we see increased infrastructure, that attributes to a good visitor economy."

Other highlights from the tourism report include over half a million border crossings into Yukon in 2018, a growth of over 15 percent from 2017.

While Dendys says tourism is having an overall good impact on the territory, she says her government is working with Yukon First Nation communities like the Carcross/Tagish First Nation where many citizens feel they're not receiving the full economic benefit from visitors.

"There is concern regarding the amount visitors going in and out of that community, including them not staying long enough to spend the amount of money the community would like to see. We're really looking closely at that and working with the Carcross/Tagish First Nation on the issue."

The annual year-end report compiles market and tourism data and statistics from various sources across the territory.