Eco-Tourism and the Northwest Territories
As a whole, the NWT has a strong desire to protect and preserve its life-styles and to safeguard the environment, landscapes and ecology. By its own implied definition, Eco-tourism should be an ideal vehicle or medium to assist. Not only should it preserve and protect, but by nature it should also provide a valuable means of developing sustainable economic growth.
“The tourism potential for the NWT is tremendous. When taken in the context of Eco and Sustainable tourism, it encompasses many of the fundamental beliefs and aspirations of almost every NWT resident.”
Although the above statement does not appear as an official proclamation, it could be taken to any forum anywhere within the NWT, and the overall validity of the statement would go unchallenged.
Many of our natural attractions have been already primed for Eco-tourism advancement in the global market. For example there is the designation of two major National Parks as UNESCO World Heritage Sites (Wood Buffalo and Nahanni), as well there are other National Parks and Historic Sites currently established under federal legislation and more are under consideration. The Thelon Wildlife Sanctuary and the Mackenzie Bison Sanctuary are the most common of the many wildlife refuges that have been created. Over the past few years, the territorial government in conjunction with local and regional First Nation governments are establishing protected lands under the NWT’s Protected Areas Strategy.
The South Slave Regional office of Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development (RWED) has taken the lead in pursuing the NWT's representation in discussions and proposed agenda developments involving both Eco and Sustainable tourism at various national and international forums.
This contribution includes the drafting of the Eco/Sustainable Tourism Discussion Forum - Discussion Paper for the NWT Tourism Industry, an initiative still in progress. As well, the ongoing role in developing the SMART program, a circumpolar project to advance sustainable tourism development.
For more information on the NWT Eco-tourism initiatives, contact:
Mike Couvrette
Regional Programs Coordinator
Resources, Wildlife & Economic Development
Box 390
Fort Smith NT X0E 0P0
E-Mail: Mike_Couvrette@gov.nt.ca