A new Yukon Tourism Advisory Board has been appointed to provide advice to the Minister of Tourism and Culture on strategic tourism issues affecting the industry as industry and government work to implement the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy.
The eight new board members bring a diversity of experience and a broad range of tourism sector expertise: Denny Kobayashi (Chair); Maxime Gouyou-Beauchamps; Denise McHale; June Hampton; Neil Hartling; Lisa Dewhurst; Teena Dickson; and Jackie Olson.
The immediate focus for the board will be to provide advice and expertise to inform the Government of Yukon’s response to COVID-19 impacts on Yukon’s tourism industry.
During this unprecedented and difficult time, it is essential that the Government of Yukon work closely with Yukon’s tourism sector to develop immediate and longer term strategies to protect and sustainably grow this important industry. This newly appointed Board will help us not only weather the current situation, but also to position Yukon’s tourism industry to capitalize on the rebound when the COVID-19 pandemic has passed. I have the utmost confidence in the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board members and I am eager to work with them for this important sector today and into the future.
Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys
I would like to thank the Minister for making it a priority to appoint members to the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board during this critical time for the Yukon’s tourism sector. After years of record growth in its tourism industry, Yukon is bracing for unprecedented negative impacts on the industry and the Yukon economy in the coming months as a result of COVID-19. I look forward to working with the other members of the Board to provide the Minister with strategic advice and industry intelligence that supports Yukon’s tourism sector during this difficult time, positions the industry to capitalize on the rebuilding when this passes and achieves the goals of the Yukon Tourism Strategy.
Yukon Tourism Advisory Board Chair Denny Kobayashi
The new Board members were selected through the Government of Yukon’s Boards and Committees appointment process with an effective date of March 20, 2020.
Board members are appointed to staggered terms of one, two or three years to ensure continuity over time. The Board will meet at least four times per year.
Establishing the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board is a recommendation made to the Government of Yukon by the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy Governance Task Force in October 2019.
In February 2019, the Government of Yukon endorsed the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy 2018–2028: Sustainable Tourism. Our Path. Our Future.
Matthew Cameron
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7136
matthew.cameron@gov.yk.ca
Alicia Debreceni
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-332-3670
alicia.debreceni@gov.yk.ca