In Whitehorse, where Minister Duncan announced $2,306,670 in funding for Yukon Tourism, Senator Lang, event MC; Patricia Cunning, Executive Director of the MacBride Museum; Justin Ferby, Managing Director of the Carcross Tagish Development Corporation; Elaine Taylor, Yukon governments Minister of Tourism and Culture; Jim Robb, Yukon artist and creator of the Colourful Five Percent exhibit; and John Duncan, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency pose in front of some of Jim Robbs artwork
Whitehorse (Yukon) February 22, 2011 - The Honourable John Duncan, Minister of the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Elaine Taylor, Yukon's Minister of Tourism and Culture today announced a combined investment of more than $3.4 million over four years to promote Yukon as a travel destination to overseas tourists.
Marketing and promotion of Yukon as a travel destination to overseas visitors will be expanded thanks to this investment from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and the Government of Yukon's Department of Tourism and Culture.
“Canada's North is home to beautiful landscapes, rich cultural diversity and traditions, and uniquely Northern hospitality – all strong attractions for international visitors,” said Minister Duncan who is also Minister of Indian Affairs and Northern Development and Federal Interlocutor for Métis and Non-Status Indians. “These investments will promote the beauty of Yukon and support the growth of businesses in Yukon's tourism sector.”
“Strengthening the awareness of Yukon in overseas markets will increase international interest in Yukon as a tourism destination,” said the Honourable Leona Aglukkaq, Member of Parliament for Nunavut, Regional Minister for the North and Minister of Health. “Our Government supports a strong and dynamic tourism industry that will showcase Yukon as a unique destination to visitors from around the world.”
“Through further investment in international marketing efforts, Yukon Tourism and its industry partners will be able to build on Yukon's position as a growing international tourism destination,” said Yukon's Minister of Tourism and Culture Elaine Taylor. “We look forward to taking full advantage of tourism growth opportunities through international travel trade, media, and consumer channels in keeping with our marketing plans.”
CanNor's investment of $2,000,000 and the Yukon government's contribution of $1,411,000 will be used to increase the awareness of Yukon travel opportunities in international markets in Europe, Australia, Japan, and South Korea.
The federal portion of this investment is funded by CanNor's Strategic Investments in Northern Economic Development (SINED) program, which focuses on long-term economic growth, economic diversification and capacity building in all three territories.
SINED is one of several economic development programs within CanNor which is responsible for coordinating and delivering Canada's economic development across the North, and for related policy development, research and advocacy.
For more information on Tourism Yukon .
Please visit these web sites to learn more about Canada's Economic Action Plan and Canada's Northern Strategy.
For further information, please contact:
Office of the Honourable John Duncan
Michele-Jamali Paquette
Press Secretary
(819) 997-0002
Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency
Erin Macpherson
Communications Advisor
867-667-3849
Government of Yukon- Tourism and Culture
Karen Keeley
Communications
867-667-8304
karen.keeley@gov.yk.ca
