Tuktoyaktuk Ready for Tourism Boost Driven by Highway Expansion

Government of Canada invests more than $300,000 in support of the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk in preparation for influx for visitors

TUKTOYAKTUK, NT, Nov. 15, 2017 /CNW/ - Tuktoyaktuk is now ready to welcome tourists with new signage and amenities thanks in part to an investment of over $300,000 from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor).    

The funding was announced today by the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor.

With the grand opening of the new Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway, the Incorporated Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk has been busy developing, beautifying and increasing the accessibility of the community to better serve tourists' needs. The Hamlet designed and installed directional and interpretive signage in the community ? providing with information on particular points of interests. The Hamlet also reconstructed a publically accessible, traditionally decorated sod house, beautified the community with fresh paint on public buildings, and installed benches and picnic tables. A study will also be conducted to determine the suitability of the "Tuk Ice House" for tourism purposes.  

In addition, the investment will assist with the construction of a new rest area equipped with shelters and washrooms near the Arctic Ocean named the "End of the Road Rest Stop."  The newly developed space will offer unique vistas of the Arctic Ocean ? encouraging tourists to stay and explore the Hamlet.

The funding has helped to increase community employment through infrastructure development projects, which going forward will foster tourism-related jobs in Tuktoyaktuk.

Quotes

"Our government is strongly committed to working collaboratively with residents, businesses, as well as with local and territorial governments to bring people together on projects that benefit their communities. There are great opportunities for innovative economic and tourism development thanks to the Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk highway and we're proud to see the community seizing it. This investment will help provide an enjoyable experience for tourists and will benefit residents of the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk - enabling them to proudly showcase their cultural heritage as well as the impressive natural landscape."
? The Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor

"We are proud of this investment. It stimulates both economic growth and tourism. Ensuring that the needed infrastructures are there to support tourists visiting Tuktoyaktuk is vital in helping them discover the diverse and unique experiences this region has to offer. We are extremely pleased to see communities like the Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk bringing this project forward."
? Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament, Northwest Territories

"On behalf of the community, we'd like to thank CanNor for making this possible. For us to undertake this beautification and infrastructure project ? it helps us to prepare for the tourism season next summer. It's amazing how something as small as bench in a public space can make such a difference."
? Darrel Nasogaluak, Mayor, Incorporated Hamlet of Tuktoyaktuk

Quick facts

• In addition to CanNor's commitment, which is up to $372,000 over two years (2016-2018), the Incorporated Hamlet of Tuktoyatuk contributed $112,311 along with $71,500 from the Government of the Northwest Territories. The total funding of the project is $555,811.
• CanNor's investment is allocated from the Community Readiness and Opportunities Planning (CROP) Fund, a contribution stream from the Northern Aboriginal Economic Opportunities Program (NAEOP). This program is designed to improve the economic development capacity of Indigenous communities and increase economic development in Canada's three territories.

Associated links

• History in the making: Completion of the Inuvik Tuktoyaktuk Highway links Canada from coast to coast to coast
• Yukon Tourism Receives Boost
• Qikiqtarjuaq's tourism industry gets a boost

Follow Minister Bains on Twitter: @ISED_CA

For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca.

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)