Nunavut government wants your thoughts on tourism

Changes are ahead for cruise ships visiting Nunavut in the new Travel and Tourism Act. Here One Ocean Expeditions cruise ship One Ocean Voyager anchors in Cambridge Bay this past August. (FILE PHOTO)

The Government of Nunavut has started holding public consultations across the territory on proposed changes to the territorial tourism law.

The goal, the GN said in a recent news release: “to gain valuable input on how to strengthen the Travel and Tourism Act” and “provide clearer standards and guidelines for quality services and travelers’ safety.”

“Tourism is of great importance for Nunavut, and we want Nunavummiut to help shape and enhance how the industry moves forward,” said Economic Development and Transportation Minister Monica Ell.

“We want Nunavummiut to share their ideas for the new Travel and Tourism Act to make our land a better place for everyone involved in this sector. We want the tourism industry to provide greater economic opportunities to communities while ensuring quality service for visitors.”

The Travel and Tourism Act, planned to be introduced in the legislative assembly early in 2016 provides for rules and guidelines governing the tourism industry, such as:

• tour operators like outfitters and guides;

• accommodations like hotels, bed and breakfasts, and remote lodges; and,

• cruise ship visits and other marine tourism.

At the public meetings, you can find out why changes are needed to the existing act, what is being proposed and provide input about how the changes will affect various parts of the tourism industry, as well as Nunavut residents and communities.

Public meetings have already taken place in Iqaluit and Pangnirtung, but more are to follow:

• Sept. 28 to Sept. 29 — Rankin Inlet, Atuqtuarvik Corp. board room

• Sept. 30 — Naujaat, community centre

• Oct. 5 — Pond Inlet, community centre

• Oct. 15 — Cambridge Bay, community centre

• Oct. 16 — Gjoa Haven, community centre

To fill out a survey or to get involved in the consultation, go here or write to info@NunavutTTA.ca.