NWT Tourism Member Update

The current situation in the Northwest Territories is very challenging on many fronts. From pandemic news to flooding in several of our communities, many residents are experiencing very difficult times. While being mindful of the ongoing current situations, we also need to look ahead with hope for better times for all residents of the NWT, and for you, our tourism members.

We are sending you an update on our plan for a return to our normal activities. NWT Tourism is here to help support our valued members through our Summer Staycation Program and our many other marketing activities.

STAYCATIONS
If your business will be open to residents this summer, please let us know. We are here to help you get the word out! 
Our Staycation Program is bigger than ever, and opportunities are open to all members. The Summer staycation program features:

• 2-week radio campaign on True North FM
• Free package listing on Spectacularnwt.com/staycations
• Direct mailer to all NWT residents (12 spot limit - operators selected on first come first served basis)
• Display and google search campaign directing web traffic to spectacularnwt.com/staycations
• Social Media ad placements.

We have migrated away from the previous NNSL website that staycations were being hosted on, and are now driving web traffic to our own SpectacularNWT.com website. You can find the staycation packages under the “packages” tab on the main page at www.spectacularnwt.com.

If you will be open for staycations this summer, please contact us today.
Contact Robin Williams at NWT Tourism: robin@spectacularnwt.com. 

REMOTE TOURISM OPERATIONS
We have talked with many members who may be applying for authorization to conduct remote tourism operations this summer. We have heard that many of you have a backlog of guests and may not need assistance to market your offerings once your authorization approval is granted. However, for all members who would like marketing support, if you would let us know when your  “Remote Tourism COVID Operations Plan” is approved, we can help!
Please contact Donna Lee Demarcke at executive@spectacularnwt.com once your approval is granted and we can go from there.

THE NWT TOURISM MARKETING PLAN – TOWARDS RESILIENCE
Be assured that NWT Tourism is continuing to be in market through all of our channels (Consumer, Travel Trade, Media, and MCIT), promoting awareness of our members and our industry in all of our target markets. We are working closely with Destination Canada in all international markets and are very active in the North American market as we continue to keep the dream of a trip to the Northwest Territories alive for travel - when the time is right.

The NWT Tourism Marketing Plan 2021-22 was developed with significant flexibility built into the plan. As you all know, the pandemic situation is changing daily. You can see the executive summary and download the complete plan here. The plan is guiding all of the marketing we do in all channels in the coming year.

ADVOCACY
NWT Tourism has been very busy on the advocacy front. 

• TIAC and the PTTIA
  NWTT is working closely with TIAC, with frequent meetings with the Provincial and Territiorial Tourism Association (PTTIA). Through the PTTIA and TIAC, NWT Tourism is contributing to discussions on the national front to refine advocacy messaging, particularly around the Tourism Relief Fund and the Canada Emergency Wage and Rent Subsidy program changes.
  
  Things are changing rapidly - and our connections with these organizations are critical. There has been a great deal of discussion around the topic of "vaccine passports" and there is more hope for the future of tourism than we have seen in the past year. We are very encouraged by this new mood of optimism.
  
  TIAC is conducting a series of Tourism Town Halls across the country. We have listened in on three of these meetings. We are currently working through market-specific tactical plans and are holding off on a town hall until we know more about what is expected for recovery and have a chance to get real information to our members, not just the general recovery statements that TIAC/Destination Canada have released thus far. We are mindful of our member's time and want to be sure that when there is a meeting there is valuable information to be shared. 
   
• Ministers and Ministerial Committees
  NWT Tourism met with several federal ministers and presented to two Ministerial Committees before and after the federal budget was released. MP Michael McLeod has been a solid advocate for our industry and facilitated our opportunity to provide input on these committees. 
   
• Tourism Week - May 24-28
  NWT Tourism is partnering with the GNWT-ITI on a Tourism Week initiative that will thank residents for supporting local tourism offerings during the pandemic. The initiative includes advertising, staycations stories which will appear on our website, and a series of social posts. 
   
• Remote Tourism Operations Supports
  Despite significant support from the Covid Secretariat and the Office of the Chief Public Health Officer, securing the required medical officer to support Remote Tourism has been challenging and incredibly time consuming, however we received good news just today and have a medical director in place. Please contact me if you require the information on the medical director for your remote tourism operations plan application.
   
• Work with other partners
  NWT Tourism has been working closely with Chambers of Commerce and municipal leaders on a variety of fronts. We are ensuring that the tourism industry voice is heard during broader discussions of the pandemic impact on the business community in the NWT.
   
• Resident Sentiment
  As you likely saw in a previous communication, NWT Tourism is working closely with the GNWT-ITI on surveys to determine resident readiness to welcome visitors back to the territory. This is a critical piece of work and is very important for when the border opens, and leisure travel is allowed in the NWT once again. 
   

Our thoughts are with everyone who is affected by high water levels and flooding. The staff members at NWT Tourism are offering support through community channels, and our organization is exploring other ways to support the affected communities.

Take care and stay safe,

Donna Lee Demarcke
Chief Executive Officer
NWT Tourism