Nunavut spends money to help communities host cruise ships

New government money for Nunavut communities hosting cruise ship visits is intended to help organize more events like this one, where former Gjoa Haven Mayor Joanni Sellerina, second from left, emceed a presentation at the hamlet’s arena for visitors from the cruise ship Lyubov Orlova as community elders looked on. (FILE PHOTO)

Cruise ship companies plan to visit 12 Nunavut communities this summer — and when they do, the Government of Nunavut said June 23 they want those communities to benefit from the local tourism spin-offs.

That’s why the Department of Economic Development and Transportation has earmarked some money for communities who want to host events and tours for visiting guests.

In addition, the department has also begun posting cruise ship itineraries on its website.

The new online schedule lists when vessels plan to dock in Nunavut communities, along with the ship’s capacity.

It shows that Pond Inlet will receive the highest number of cruise ships this summer with five vessels scheduled, while Iqaluit can expect two..

In the Kitikmeot region, Gjoa Haven and Cambridge Bay will see three ships, while tiny Bathurst Inlet will receive two cruise ship visits.

During the 2011 season, communities can apply for money from three GN programs to help subsidize cultural events, tours, or arts and craft fairs offered in conjunction with cruise ship visits.

The GN’s June 23 announcement came as news to Ooleepeeka Arnaqaq, who runs the Angmarlik visitors’ centre in Pangnirtung – but she says it’s welcome news at that.

“Any support would help,” said Arnaqaq, who helps to coordinate community tours when cruise ship guests land in Pangnirtung.

“We get cruise ships to pay for that now, but [any money] would definitely go towards locals, to pay them to do demonstrations or cooking.”

Pangnirtung receives about four to five cruise ships every summer. This year, the community only expects to see one or two.

But organizing around cruise ship visits is a side industry which the village would like to grow.

Pangnirtung already offers sightseeing and shopping to visitors, and local residents organize traditional Inuit games and throat-singing performances for groups, Arnaqaq said.

Recent tourism consultations held across Nunavut also targeted ship tourism as an area to develop.

The GN’s tourism strategy, set to be released in 2012, is expected to spell out a cruise ship “code of conduct” to help cruise companies communicate their wants and needs to local communities and Parks Canada staff.

In a recent interview with Nunatsiaq News, Nunavut Tourism CEO Colleen Dupuis said cruise ship tourism could mean a huge economic windfall for some communities.

Support for host communities is one step in recognizing Nunavut as “an international cruise ship destination,” said Peter Taptuna, Nunavut’s economic development minister, in a June 23 GN release.

The release says the GN will continue to support community-based sustainable economies through partnerships, “so communities will become more economically active, productive and self-reliant.”