Debates of May 10, 2007 (day 4)

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. My questions are for the Minister of ITI and it’s to follow up just briefly on my Member’s statement and the fact that many countries around the world, from New Zealand to Sweden, Norway, and countries in between, have taken to looking at the development of nature-based tourism as a way to provide more support and revitalize their rural communities. Given the North’s tremendous natural assets, beauties and marketable tourism attractions, and the fact that many communities don’t have other resource-based development on their doorstep, I’d just like to ask the Minister if he would commit to instructing his officials to build some reference to the potential of this particular type of marketing that’s been developed into the 2008-2009 business development plan so that the incoming 16th Assembly will have an opportunity to consider how they want to move on this type of opportunity? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. The honourable Minister responsible for Industry, Tourism and Investment, Mr. Bell.

Return To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I want to assure Members that we’re certainly doing what we can to support this sector. I think we can do more but, as Members will be aware, in the 2010 proposal and documents, since about 2003-2004 we’ve essentially virtually doubled the marketing money that we’re spending in tourism; the amount of money of the contribution that goes to our partner, NWTT. They are spending a lot more on marketing. One of the areas they’ve targeted, Mr. Speaker, is outdoor adventure.

I think that Members have probably by now had a chance to see the 2007 Explorer’s Guide. A nice feature in there, some 13 pages of operators who are advertising and promoting outdoor adventure. There’s a nice piece on south of the lake. We’re doing a number of things related to this segment. I think the Member’s region is probably particularly very well suited for this and the promotion of this industry. So we will continue to work with him in that respect, but, as I say, this has been now I think our third year of the 2010 program. There’s more to come, but I think we are off to a good start. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, the whole area of ecotourism has some fairly stringent accreditation requirements that are developed in the jurisdiction. There’s some marketing requirements and it’s a specific way of doing business that’s been developed through trial and error in other countries. So the question once again to the Minister is, given all the opportunities in the North, would he commit to having his officials build a reference into this particular area the way it’s done in other jurisdictions to see if there’s an applicability here in the Northwest Territories for the 2008-2009 Business Plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Mr. Speaker, I would propose that I could meet with the NWTT to talk about this. They have identified the segment as outdoor adventure. I think, in their minds, this includes ecotourism. If there are some specific nuances here or references here to programs internationally that have been successful, that’s certainly something that I’d like to learn more about. I could talk to the Member. I’m also, Mr. Speaker, in the process of trying to plan for a trip south of the lake to both Hay River and Fort Smith and when I have some acceptable dates identified, I will come back to the Members of those communities and talk about meetings that might be scheduled. Probably a good meeting with the Member if he’d be prepared to work with me to host to bring in some tourism stakeholders into the community, possibly with the mayor and council. We could talk about that kind of thing. But that’s certainly something that I think is a good idea and I’d be prepared to discuss further. Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Bell. Supplementary, Mr. Miltenberger.

Supplementary To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Thank you, Mr. Speaker. I appreciate the Minister’s offer. Unfortunately, I don’t think I’m going to be in the community or even in the territory the week that he’s thinking about being there. However, the question still is, Mr. Speaker, that this is a very specific type of development. The Minister is going to be in office for another four months before we all hit the hustings, or those of us who are going to run again are going to hit the hustings. The key is the development and building this into the 2008-2009 business planning process. While I appreciate the words of support from the Minister that we also have this other process that the 16th Assembly will pick up. So the question is, in addition to those words of support, will he ensure that it’s built into the 2008-2009 Business Plan? Thank you.

Thank you, Mr. Miltenberger. Mr. Bell.

Further Return To Question 51-15(6): Support Of The Ecotourism Sector

Mr. Speaker, I will certainly meet, as I periodically do, with our tourism marketing advisory committee. They are industry stakeholders, representing the tourism industry, and they’ve been tasked with identifying our business plan priorities. There are four of them this year: recreational vehicle general touring, outdoor adventure, German and Japanese markets. I will sit down and talk to them about ecotourism and outdoor adventure, make sure I understand the nuances, and if we can work to build that into their priorities, that’s something that I’m prepared to do. What they do is bring this forward, this business plan, after the industry has looked at it. We endorse it and make the contribution. So it’s very much one of working with our stakeholders. I’ll continue to do that, but I appreciate the Member’s suggestions. Thank you.