Thank you, Mr. Speaker. Mr. Speaker, today, I would like to address an important way that this government can support our growing and diversifying economy.
Tourism is one of the fastest growing sectors in our economy, as we heard from a Member earlier today. That applies to the City of Yellowknife, and it is becoming more and more a reality in all regions of the NWT. Tourism is growing in terms of where our visitors are coming from. Most visitors used to be from Japan, but now more are coming from China, even Korea and other countries. The tourism season is also growing. We are seeing more tourists here now in the summer, when mostly they used to be here during the colder months.
Tourism is one sector where we are moving positively in the direction of our mandate goals of job creation and economic diversification. It is important for this government to support this growing industry, and certainly not stand in its way. For that reason, I am asking this government to support our municipalities with enabling legislation to let them apply a hotel levy.
The City of Yellowknife is currently implementing a Destination Marketing Organization strategy to aggressively market the capital as a tourist destination. It will coordinate all ways of marketing the city, and draw on all of the city's resources to attract visitors. Mr. Speaker, increasing tourist traffic by just 10 per cent could bring in millions in additional dollars.
The City of Yellowknife has taken the tourism ball and is running with it. Allowing them to institute a hotel levy will provide resources so that they can develop local tourism as they see fit. In the capital, it could help attract national level conferencing and gathering opportunities. In turn, that will support a more robust, active, healthy downtown core. Since Yellowknife is the starting point for most NWT visitors, growth in the capital will benefit all NWT communities and regions.
Mr. Speaker, the hotel levy resolution is supported by the city, the NWT Association of Communities, the local hotel association, and NWT Tourism. Our communities want to develop their own tourism potential, and we should be working to support them and helping them take advantage of these opportunities. Mr. Speaker, let us change the CTV Act. Let us support the levy. Thank you, Mr. Speaker.
Masi. Members' statements. Member for Nahendeh.
