JETTy

Department of Industry, Tourism, and
Investment for the Government of the
Northwest Territories, total
overnight tourism revenue for the
Northwest Territories was 132.5
million dollars for the 2013/2014
fiscal year, representing a 24 per
cent annual increase. The main drivers
of this change was increased
aurora viewing and business travel.
“The majority of our visitors are
Canadian, mostly from Alberta. At
the same time the Japanese aurora
viewing market keeps expanding
and we welcomed over 20,000 Japanese
tourists last year,” she says, adding roughly 60
per cent of visitation is for leisure with the
largest sectors being aurora viewing, visiting
friends and relatives, and general touring.
Increased interest in leisure activities
may have only been slightly felt by the
hotel sector (October 2014, the Canadian
Tourism Commission’s report records an
occupancy rate of 65.4 per cent, up 3.8
points from last year), but it has impacted
transportation. A November Statistics
Canada report showed the number of
flights dealt with by Yellowknife Airport
grew by 13 per cent between 2012 and
2013, the second-largest rise among any of
Canada’s 50 busiest airports. Most flights
continue to originate from Edmonton or
Calgary, though Air North’s flights to and
from Whitehorse and Ottawa have contributed
to that increase. Airport officials
are looking to expand the terminal to better
meet the needs of travellers.
Some Yellowknife hotels are looking to
make travellers’ stay a little nicer. Temple
Hotels Inc. completed their previously
announced acquisition of Nova Court, an
extended-stay property. The property contains
approximately 8,300 square feet of
unfinished space on the first floor, which
The Northwest Territories saw a 24 per
cent increase during the 2013/2014 fiscal
year in overnight tourism revenue.
Temple intends to redevelop into nine
additional hotel rooms and a 750-squarefoot
breakfast room.
A new hotel set between the Explorer
Hotel and the Northland Utilities substation,
has been put on hold since Nova
Builders still does not have a building permit
for a proposed hotel. Once the city and developer
work out an agreement construction
will begin on the property on Highway 3.
Since the prediction for the mining
industry in 2015 doesn’t look much better
than the previous year, both the Yukon and
Northwest Territories will look to bank on
tourism to keep occupancy up. ●
Online Revealed 2015
March 31 – April 2, 2015
Telus Centre for Performance and Learning, Toronto, ON
Online Revealed Canada, the Online Marketing Conference for Travel Industry Professionals
has grown rapidly because of its hands-on approach to learning. Founded by A Couple of
Chicks Digital Tourism Marketing in 2005, the firm was, and remains, dedicated to providing
the tourism industry with innovative digital marketing strategies.
The first conference was held in Ottawa in 2006 in association with the Canadian Tourism Commission,
drawing more than 180 attendees. Online Revealed has since evolved to become the go-to
event for the travel and tourism industry in Canada to learn, connect, and be informed about the
ever evolving world of digital marketing.
Speakers: Keynote Speaker – Hari Nair, vice-president market management North America,
Expedia; Patricia Brusha, co-founder & principal, A Couple of Chicks Digital Marketing;
Alan Young, CEO & co-founder, Puzzle Partner Ltd. and NBTWorld.com and Carol
Alderdice, web technology manager, New Brunswick Tourism
SHHA Hotel & Hospitality Conference
April 13-14, 2015
DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel, Regina, SK
Trade Show Review
Members of the SHHA gather for business meetings, information sessions
and award celebrations along with the province’s largest hotel and
hospitality related trade show.
AHLA 95th Annual Convention
April 16-17, 2015
The Banff Centre, Banff, AB
The AHLA’s trade show provides you a unique opportunity to connect
with decision-makers in Alberta’s hotel & lodging industry, and gives you
valuable face time to build relationships with current and prospective customers.
The results are in from the AHLA’s 2014 Convention & Trade
Show survey, and members spoke loud and clear about moving the event to
The Banff Centre! “I don’t believe we have ever had a venue so focused on
our experience and committed to providing the level of service The Banff
Centre team did,” said one delegate. Attendees enjoyed the format made to
the Housekeeping Award Gala. The AHLA strives to elevate this event. The
focus remains on recognizing and celebrating front-line staff.
Canadian Hotel Investment Conference
May 4-5, 2015-01-14
Hilton Toronto Hotel, Toronto, ON
34 Western Hotelier Magazine
The event is produced by Big Picture Conferences and hosted by HLT Advisory Inc, Colliers
International Hotels and CBRE Hotels and provides the opportunity for senior level executives
(CXOs) and lodging industry experts to gain timely insights into the hotel investment market.
This Conference is a vehicle for delegates to reflect on the various issues that impact the industry
and discuss future opportunities and trends through in-depth, interactive sessions that are
uniquely Canadian. A portion of the proceeds from the conference are donated to Canadian hospitality
and tourism education programs to promote the long-term commitment to education
and well-trained hospitality industry professionals. Over the past 18 years, the conference has
raised more than $1,500,000.
Western Hotelier Magazine 35