Supporting Tourism Development in Arctic Bay - New Community-owned Arctic Bay Adventures to provide eco-tourism products and services

IQALUIT, NU, April 28, 2016 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable Navdeep Bains, Minister of Innovation, Science and Economic Development and Minister responsible for CanNor  announced an investment of $500,000 to support the creation of Arctic Bay Adventures Inc., a community-owned development corporation that will provide a broad selection of eco-tourism services.

This corporation is an innovative business model for Nunavut. In this northern model, the community is taking leadership in diversifying the local economy and building an eco-tourism industry in the region.

Arctic Bay Adventures Inc. will coordinate all eco-tourism activities in the community, delivering products and services, providing marketing initiatives and training opportunities, overseeing equipment rentals, and organizing related camp and logistical services. The creation of this new corporation will create new jobs and business opportunities in the community.

Quick Facts

• CanNor is investing $500,000 into the creation of Arctic Bay Adventures Inc. with additional investments of $650,000 coming from Kakivak Association, $250,000 from the Government of Nunavut's Department of Economic Development and Transportation, and $208,900 from the Arctic Bay Legacy Fund. The total investment is $1,608,900 over four years.
• Arctic Bay Adventures Inc. will provide local full-time and seasonal employment for a manager, guides, drivers, camp cooks, and outfitters involved in the community's tourism industry.
• Arctic Bay is located near Sirmilik National Park and the proposed Lancaster Sound Marine Conservation area. Both attractions are expected to draw more visitors to the vicinity of Arctic Bay in the coming years from both cruise ships and luxury boat traffic.

Quotes

"Arctic Bay's unique culture and geography make it a spectacular tourist destination. By investing in Arctic Bay Adventures Inc., the Government of Canada is supporting an innovative northern model of community based entrepreneurship which will support creating a dynamic eco-tourism industry that will lead to new job and economic opportunities."

Bardish Chagger
Minister of Small Business and Tourism

"The Government of Canada is working in partnership with the Government of Nunavut, the Kakivak Association, and the Hamlet of Arctic Bay to take advantage of the increased tourist interest in the community. This innovative opportunity to develop eco-tourism and support the local economy will be a model for other communities across Nunavut and it is part of efforts to help strengthen communities." 

Hunter Tootoo,
Member of Parliament for Nunavut

"We are very proud of the role that we have played in the establishment of Arctic Bay Adventures.  Not only is this project a great success for the community, it is a great example of effective collaboration, with three levels of government, Kakivak Association and the community of Arctic Bay working together to make the idea of an Inuit community-owned tourism company become a reality."

Enookie Inuarak
Board Chair,
Kakivak Association

"Arctic Bay has tremendous potential as a tourist destination. The Government of Nunavut is firmly committed to community-driven economic development across the territory. We are proud to support Arctic Bay Adventures in the development of tourism products and services, and look forward to enhanced tourism revenue potential in the community."

Monica Ell-Kanayuk,
Government of Nunavut, Minister of Economic Development and Transportation

"Arctic Bay is one of the world's magical places. We are excited that, thanks to the help of the Government of Canada, Kakivak Association, QIA and the Government of Nunavut, we will be able to share our community with more of the world. We've taken an innovative approach to the challenges of tourism in the High Arctic, and are confident that with this help, tourism will be a boon to Arctic Bay's economy."

Phillip Kalluk,
President, Arctic Bay Adventures Inc.

SOURCE Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)

please contact: Office of the Honourable Navdeep Bains, 343-291-2500; Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Craig Welsh, Communications Advisor, Nunavut Region, 867-975-3722; Kakivak Association, Glenn Cousins, Manager, Business Services, 867-979-8951; Government of Nunavut, Matthew Illaszewicz, Economic Development and Transportation, Manager, Communications, 867-975-7818; Arctic Bay Adventures, Gene O'Donnell, Manager, 1-844-347-4822; For more information about CanNor, visit cannor.gc.ca