NWT Tourism Update June 20th, 2022

NWT Tourism Update

COVID Testing Availability in the NWT

Some of our international guests may need to have a COVID test before returning to their home country.  In Yellowknife there are two companies that I am aware of that provide this service:

Please reach out to 62 Degrees North or AMS for pricing, availability of types of tests, and hours of operations.

These are the resources that I have been able to source to date in the NWT, if you learn of any other communities or locations in the NWT to get a travel authorized test, please let me know and I will share the information with our members. 

Medical Director Assistance

Also, a reminder, with support from the GNWT-ITI we have been able to keep NWT Tourism’s Medical Director in place for the upcoming months. Now that we have transitioned to an unrestricted territory for visitors, and in an effort to reduce the potential strain on the NWT’s medical system, we have been asked to retain the medical director. She will be available to all NWT Tourism members for any COVID related issues that may arise in your business.  The NWT Tourism Medical Director should be your first point of contact for any COVID related issues. If you need the contact information for our medical director, please contact me.

Safe Travel Stamp

I would also like to remind all members about the World Travel & Tourism Council (WTTC) Safe Travels Global Protocols & Stamp program. You can find out more about the program here.

We encourage all members to have these protocols in place to allow travellers to recognize that you have adopted health and hygiene global standardized protocols – so consumers can experience 'Safe Travels'.

TRIP funding to help tourism operators with reopening

The deadline for the TRIP funding is just two weeks away, be sure to get your applications in. 

TRIP will provide funding to eligible applicants to support:

  • marketing activities and materials for domestic and international audiences,
  • recruitment, training and capacity building for new and returning employees,
  • adapting or enhancing health and safety protocols for tourism activities, and
  • reopening maintenance activities to ensure tourism operators are ready to receive visitors.

Funding is available to tourism operators with a valid Tourism Operator Licence (TOL) in the NWT.  Non-profit organizations meeting the requirements are eligible.

Applicants will be required to prioritize the use of NWT goods, services and construction to support local employment and community economies. The deadline for applications is July 4, 2022.For more information and to apply click here.

As we continue to navigate past the pandemic, we will continue to learn, and gather more resources, and as we do, we at NWT Tourism will be sure to share with our members as soon as possible.