Industry News Update

Dear members,

There are a number of things recently reported that we would like to share with you today.

The Government of Canada to accept all COVID-19 vaccines authorized the World Health Organization for travel
Currently, the federal government accepts the following vaccines for travel to Canada:

• Pfizer-BioNTech (Comirnaty, tozinameran, BNT162b2)
• Moderna (Spikevax, mRNA-1273)
• AstraZeneca (Vaxzevria, COVISHIELD, ChAdOx1-S, AZD1222)
• Janssen/Johnson & Johnson (Ad26.COV2.S)

The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Provincial and Territorial Tourism Industry Association, along with other interested parties, have been actively advocating for Canada to accept all vaccines approved by the WHO. We are pleased to see that starting on November 30, 2021 the following COVID-19 vaccines will also be accepted:

• Bharat Biotech (Covaxin, BBV152 A, B, C) 
• Sinopharm (Beijing) BBIBP-CorV (Vero Cells) 
• Sinovac (CoronaVac, PiCoVacc)

Air North announces new Whitehorse - Yellowknife - Toronto flight beginning in May
This will mark the first time Toronto has ever had a direct scheduled connection to Yellowknife and flights are scheduled twice weekly. Flights will begin as of 10 May, 2022. A flight leaving Yellowknife at 11:30 will arrive in Toronto at 17:40. A flight leaving Toronto at 10:45 will arrive in Yellowknife at 13:25. At this time, the scheduled flights will be available until the end of September. This is great news and we applaud Air North for planning for economic recovery. 

Bookkeeping Initiative Relaunched for NWT Businesses
The Government of the Northwest Territories announced today the relaunch of its successful bookkeeping initiative to support business in accessing financial planning advice.

Eligible businesses can apply for up to $7,500 or 90% of the actual cost for obtaining the financial and technical advice required to allow them to make informed investment decisions, and better position themselves for sustainability and growth. 

In addition to offering balanced books and financial statements, today’s launch includes financial planning for businesses that already have their books in order. Business owners can review goals and determine where they would like to take their business with the guidance of a professional financial planner.

With the original launch of the bookkeeping initiative in January 2021, the GNWT, through the Department of Industry, Tourism and Investment (ITI), has supported 123 Northwest Territories’ businesses to the total amount of $672,765.

For more information, please go to this link: Funding available for NWT businesses to get their financials in order.

Advocacy Efforts Regarding NWT Border Opening to Leisure Travel Continue
Many members have been in contact regarding advocacy efforts surrounding the timing of the NWT border opening to leisure travel, and I would like to thank you for reaching out. Our advocacy efforts continue, and our contact with the COVID Secretariat and other parties are occurring on a regular basis. 

We know that information regarding the dates of leisure travel resumption is critical to members, and many of you are planning your seasons for 2022. As soon as we have news, we will be sure to share with you. In the meantime, please continue to reach out. It is very helpful to hear your individual perspectives.

Thank you,

Donna Lee Demarcke
Chief Executive Officer
NWT Tourism
Executive@spectacularnwt.com