Yukoners are encouraged to share their thoughts, ideas and suggestions on how to sustainably grow tourism in the territory through a new public engagement process launched today by Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys.
Minister Dendys was joined by Rich Thompson, co-chair of the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy Steering Committee, at an event today to unveil the engagement sessions. The sessions will be held in communities throughout the territory with First Nations governments, municipalities, tourism businesses, partner organizations and the public. In addition, feedback can be provided online.
Tourism is a key component of Yukon’s economy, providing employment for Yukoners and supporting vibrant communities across the territory while balancing economic development with environmental, community and cultural values.
The results of the online survey and community meetings will inform the Yukon Tourism Development Strategy, which will help form plans to achieve growth opportunities and priorities.
Tourism is so much more than a strong contributor to Yukon’s economy – it helps us share our culture, our stories and our connection to the land with visitors and residents. Tourism supports our communities, our businesses and touches most of us in one way or another. I invite all Yukoners to share their thoughts and get involved so we can build the Tourism Development Strategy together.
Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie Dendys
Tourism is and will remain very important to the Yukon economy. Through full engagement and sharing of ideas, we hope to be able to develop some bold strategic ideas on how to make the industry better for all the stakeholders that it impacts. It will be terrific if we can achieve significant alignment on our key priorities.
Yukon Tourism Development Strategy Steering Committee co-chair and Northern Vision Development LP chief executive officer Rich Thompson
The engagement will run until the end of March, 2018.
Tourism Statistics
Yukon Tourism Visitation Report - Q3 Highlights: July to September 2017
International Overnight Visitation (1+ Nights)
Year-to-date (YTD) overnight visitation for international visitors is 3per cent higher with 4,600 more visitors than the same period in 2016.
The month of September saw a 4 per cent increase in overnight visitation compared to the 5-year average and a 6 per cent increase compared to September 2016.
YTD overnight visitations in 5 per cent higher than the 5-year average (2012–2016).
Air Arrivals at Erik Neilsen Whitehorse International Airport
Year to date air arrivals have grown by 7 per cent or 9,800 more passengers than the same period in 2016.
Over the last 5 years, air arrivals have grown by 24 per cent or 27,500 more passengers than in the same period in 2013.
YTD air arrivals are 18 per cent higher than the 5-year average (2012–2016).
Occupancy at Select Fixed Roof
YTD occupancy is 1.3 points higher than the 3-year average* (2014–2016).
YTD Yukon occupancy rates are 3.7 points higher than national rates (67.2 per cent). Figures represent approximately 500 rooms in Yukon and should not be generalized to the whole accommodation market. Figures are presented as an indicator only.
*2012–2013 data unavailable.
International Border Crossings (into Yukon)
YTD border crossings are 4 per cent higher than in 2016.
The month of September saw a 7 per cent increase in border crossings compared to the 5-year average and a 13 per cent increase compared to September 2016.
YTD crossings through Canadian Border Services Agency ports of entry are 5 per cent higher than the 5-year average (2012–2016).
Same-Day International Border Crossings (into Yukon)
YTD same day border crossings are 7 per cent higher than 2016.
The month of August saw a 15 per cent increase in same day border crossings compared to the 5-year average and a 21 per cent increase compared to August 2016.
YTD same day border crossings are 2 per cent higher than the 5-year average.
Retail Sales (Total Sales $000)
YTD retail sales are up 5 per cent ($26 million) from the same period in 2016.
YTD retail sales are up 14 per cent compared to the 5-year average (2012-2016).
Comparatively, national retail sales have increased 7 per cent YTD.
Tourism Employment 2015
On December 7, 2017 the Yukon Bureau of Statistics released Tourism Employment 2015. This report summarizes Yukon’s tourism employment data, including compensation and hours worked which are estimated through the Provincial–Territorial Human Resource Module of the Tourism Satellite Account, 2015 developed by Statistics Canada.
Highlights from the report include:
Tourism accounted for nearly 3,500 jobs in Yukon in 2015, up 4.7 per cent from 2014.
Yukon’s growth (4.7 per cent) in the number of tourism jobs from 2014 to 2015 was the highest in Canada.
Yukon’s tourism sector accounted for 13.5per cent of all jobs in the Yukon labour market in 2015, an increase from 12.5 per cent in 2014.
After six years of having the second-highest share in the country, Yukon’s tourism sector recaptured the highest share of all jobs in 2015.
In 2015, the total compensation to employees of Yukon tourism industries was $108 million, an increase of $1.8 million, or 1.7 per cent, compared to 2014.
The average weekly hours worked per job in Yukon tourism industries was 31.4 in 2015, an increase of 0.4 hours, or 1.2 per cent, compared to 2014.
Yukon’s figure (31.4 hours) was the third-highest in Canada in 2015.
Sunny Patch
Cabinet Communications
867-393-7478
sunny.patch@gov.yk.ca
Carleen Kerr
Communications, Tourism and Culture
867-332-2624
carleen.kerr@gov.yk.ca