The Government of Yukon has released the inaugural 2022 Yukon Sustainable Tourism Annual Report. The report establishes baseline data for key elements identified in the Yukon Sustainable Tourism Framework.
Monitoring and reporting on the key elements will provide the tourism sector with knowledge on the state of sustainability within the industry from year to year and go beyond traditional measurement techniques.
By compiling and sharing comprehensive data on tourism seasonality, economic impacts, resident and visitor sentiment, resident travel, cultural sustainability, labour, governance, accessibility and diversity, energy and climate action, this report aims to inform stakeholders, policymakers and businesses about the health of tourism in the territory. This data is also available on the Yukon sustainable tourism dashboard.
This information will help the sector establish priorities, make informed decisions and investments and understand more about how to amplify the positive benefits of tourism for communities, cultures, economies and environments and address or mitigate negative impacts.
The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Framework was released in May 2022, when the Yukon government became a member of the United Nations’ World Tourism Organization’s International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO). A Yukon Sustainable Tourism Working Group was established in the fall of 2022 to help guide the work.
The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Framework is linked to actions identified under the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy and Our Clean Future: A Yukon strategy for climate change, energy and a green economy – and contributes to meeting goal area one, reducing the Yukon’s greenhouse gas emissions.
In 2022 the Yukon became only the second Canadian member of the United Nations’ International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories. Now the Yukon is releasing its first Sustainable Tourism Annual Report, which provides crucial insights into the human impact of tourism, helping us to establish baseline data and employ innovative monitoring techniques. Comprehensive information is accessible through the Yukon sustainable tourism dashboardand supports stakeholders with making informed decisions and responsible tourism practices. The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Framework contributes to our broader goals in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and building a sustainable future for generations to come.
Minister of Tourism and Culture John Streicker
Through the Our Clean Future strategy, we are committed to reducing our greenhouse gas emissions and supporting a clean, sustainable future for the Yukon. The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Framework is internationally recognized for its plan to reduce the carbon footprint of the tourism industry while promoting the Yukon’s natural environment for all visitors to enjoy.
Minister of Environment Nils Clarke
The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Framework measures annual conditions across the following 17 key elements of tourism:
- Governance
- Economic Benefits
- Employment and Human Resources
- Yukon Resident Sentiment
- Tourism Seasonality
- Solid and Hazardous Waste Management
- Wastewater Management
- Water Management
- Energy Management
- Climate Action
- Accessibility, Inclusivity, Equity and Diversity
- Cultural Sustainability
- Natural Environment
- Yukon Resident Travel
- Visitor Sentiment
- Infrastructure
- Public Health and Safety
The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Framework fulfils climate actions I10 and I11 under Our Clean Future.
In 2022, 11 out of the 13 road-accessible communities in the Yukon could be reached using electric vehicles from Whitehorse.
During 2022, international border crossings saw over 133,000 visitors in the summer months and approximately 38,000 in the winter months.
In 2021, 91 per cent of Yukoners agreed that tourism is good for the Yukon as a whole and 89 per cent agreed that tourism is good for their community.
The Sustainable Tourism Working Group currently comprises 13 representatives from governments and organizations, including:
- Champagne and Aishihik First Nations
- Lake Laberge Renewable Resource Council
- Council of Yukon First Nations
- Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association
- Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon
- Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon
- Klondike Visitor Association
- Sport Yukon
- Yukon Convention Bureau
- City of Whitehorse
- Government of Yukon (representatives from several departments)
International Network of Sustainable Tourism Observatories (INSTO) is a network of more than 30 destinations across the globe committed to monitoring the economic, environmental and social impacts of tourism in their locales. INSTO is the second Canadian jurisdiction, and the first North of 60, to be accepted into the network.
Laura Seeley
Cabinet Communications
867-332-7627
laura.seeley@yukon.ca
Alicia Debreceni
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-332-3670
alicia.debreceni@yukon.ca