yukon tourism advisory board

Yukon tourism recovery will take years, says new government strategy

The Yukon government is setting a goal to revive tourism within three years.

That goal is optimistic compared to a national-level estimate from Destination Canada, which says Canada's tourism industry will need five years to rebound from the pandemic.

On Monday, the Yukon government published a local tourism "relief and recovery plan."

"Our goal is to return to 2019 levels of tourism employment and revenue in tourism within three years," announced Yukon Minister of Tourism and Culture Jeanie McLean.

Yukon tourism had been seeing record-breaking growth before the pandemic , however the COVID-19 pandemic nearly stopped out-of-territory visitors earlier this year.

COVID-19 has meant 'a really dark time' for tourism sector

In 2018 the tourism sector accounted for $367.8 million in revenue and five per cent of Yukon's gross domestic product.

"It's hard to overstate how badly the pandemic has hurt our dynamic, resilient tourism industry. The last 10 months have been a really dark time," said McLean.

Neil Hartling, chair of Tourism Industry Association Yukon (TIAY), said the sector accounts for 400 businesses and employs about 4,000 people in Yukon.

The publication of the tourism plan on Monday doesn't bring new funding. A total of $15 million from the territorial government has already been pledged over the next three years.

Some specific measures within that funding such as aid to hotels and restaurants have already been announced .

Hartling said the amount represents a "small investment that will yield big dividends for Yukon's economy."

McLean said that $4 million in funding was expected to be delivered this fiscal year with other investments made over the next three years totalling about $15 million.

Tourism campaign coming to Yukon

Any plan to revive tourism will have to deal with risk of importing COVID-19.

McLean promised that "maintaining a healthy tourism sector will not come at a cost of health and safety of Yukoners."

Denny Kobayashi who is chair of the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board said the risk of COVID-19 is a concern expressed by communities and operators alike.

"We heard it from Yukon communities, we heard it from First Nations. We heard from Yukon tourism operators that the safety of their families and the safety of their guests was critical to their success as well," he said.

Kobayashi said the advisory board moved that COVID-19 safety be considered a "core value" of any recovery plan. With this in place, he said the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board "fully supports" the plan.

"We are confident that [with] this plan, Yukon's tourism industry will recover more quickly and once again welcome the world."

Plan seeks to build confidence for residents and travellers

One element of the recovery plan will be to develop "standardized safe travel protocols" for tourism operators in Yukon.

McLean described the goal "to ensure residents and travellers have confidence that the necessary precautions are being taken by our business community."

One example of this already exists outside Yukon. The World Travel and Tourism Council has started a campaign called "#SafeTravels." The program flags so-called "safe" destinations and businesses with a green logo if they follow standardized protocols dealing with COVID-19.

Hartling said Yukon businesses will be earning this certification as TIAY works on establishing protocols.

"We're proud to see the Yukon tourism industry out front embracing those standards," said Hartling.

Asked about whether visitors would require proof of vaccination to visit, McLean did not definitively comment.

She said "conversations," on such matters were important and upcoming and that the department would be following the guidance of Yukon's chief medical officer on all matters.

New marketing on the way

The tourism relief and recovery plan also pledges more marketing for Yukon, to encourage visitors "when the time is right."

Hartling said he believes the territory's tourism has a bright future after the pandemic.

"I think the good news is that the Yukon is well-positioned internationally at this point in time for a strong recovery," he said, adding the "wide-open, clean pristine spaces" like those in Yukon are in great demand.

"That's exactly the sort of tonic that the post-COVID world is going to be seeking out. All indications from tourism industry businesses is that we should see a relatively fast recovery."

Latest Stories

Prince william and kate middleton issue new statement after she revealed her cancer diagnosis.

The Prince and Princess of Wales have now shared a new statement to thank the public for the support and well wishes since she shared the news.

Child left with life-altering injuries after off-leash dog attack at Toronto playground: police

Toronto police say a child was taken to hospital with serious, life-altering injuries after being bitten and dragged by a dog at a waterfront playground on Saturday.Officers were called to Little Norway Park, near Lake Shore Boulevard West and Bathurst Street, at about 10:15 a.m.A news release issued Saturday said a woman was inside the playground area with a dog that was off-leash when a father approached the same area with his child.The dog allegedly "charged toward" the child through an open

Trump’s Net Worth Hits $6.5 Billion, Making Him One of World’s 500 Richest People

(Bloomberg) -- Donald Trump’s business empire was supposed to be in peril like never before on Monday. Instead, it turned into the single-greatest day on record for the former president’s wealth. Most Read from BloombergTrump Vows to Pay Fraud Trial Bond Cut by 68% to $175 MillionTrump’s Net Worth Hits $6.5 Billion, Making Him One of World’s 500 Richest PeopleAfter Exposing Realtors, Eliminate the Mortgage Interest DeductionPutin Blames Islamists For Moscow Attack While Still Accusing UkraineFac

Court agrees to pause collection of Trump's massive civil fraud judgment if he puts up $175M

NEW YORK (AP) — A New York appeals court on Monday agreed to hold off collection of former President Donald Trump’s more than $454 million civil fraud judgment if he puts up $175 million within 10 days. If he does, it will stop the clock on collection and prevent the state from seizing the presumptive Republican presidential nominee's assets while he appeals. The appeals court also halted other aspects of a trial judge's ruling that had barred Trump and his sons Eric Trump and Donald Trump Jr.,

Woman on life support dies after brutal Ohio beating, family says. Boyfriend charged

Family members said the 21-year-old suffered brain injuries and bruising throughout her body.

A nutritionist who cut down on ultra-processed foods shares his 5 go-to grocery store snacks

When trying curb ultra-processed foods, finding minimally processed grocery store snacks might be challenging. A nutritionist shares what he buys.

Anne Hathaway wears huge black bow, leather glove and absolutely nothing else

Anne Hathaway covers the April issue of Vanity Fair in her most daring shoot yet featuring the actress wearing a huge black bow bodysuit with just a glove.

What do the court images of Moscow attack suspects show us?

Four men accused by the Russians of carrying out a deadly attack on a concert hall appeared to show clear signs of having been brutally interrogated when they were paraded in court. The suspects, from Tajikistan, were charged with terror offences after Friday's attack at Crocus City Hall in Krasnogorsk, near Moscow, left 137 people dead and at least 182 injured. Dalerdzhon Barotovich Mirzoyev, 32, Saidakrami Murodali Rachabalizoda, 30, Shamsidin Fariduni, 25, and Muhammadsobir Fayzov, 19, appeared at Basmanny district court in Moscow on Sunday.

How Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were told about Princess Kate's cancer diagnosis

Prince Harry and Meghan Markle were not informed about the Princess of Wales cancer diagnosis before the news was made public, according to a new report in The Sunday Times

Nelly Furtado's robotic silver mesh cut-out bodysuit is giving sci-fi chic

Nelly Furtado hosted the JUNO Awards and opened the show with a performance of a medley of her hits wearing the robotic silver mesh cut-out bodysuit and gloves.

Donald Trump Has Odd ‘Superstitions’ About His Hair, According To New Stormy Daniels Doc

Seth Rogen said the adult film star once told him about a conversation she had with the former president about the “power” of his mane.

Sarah Ferguson Speaks Out About Kate Middleton's Cancer News amid Her Own Diagnosis

The Duchess of York, 64, was recently diagnosed with skin cancer after battling breast cancer

Salma Hayek Shares Beachy Swimsuit Photo Taken by Daughter Valentina, 16

The 'Frida' star showed off the teen's photography skills by sharing a snapshot from their trip to the beach

Jon Stewart Dismantles Trump's 2-Word Defense Strategy In Epic Takedown

"The Daily Show" host tears into the former president's claim -- and shows why the case matters.

Kate and William Don’t Want Any Harry ‘Drama,’ Friends Say

Hannah McKay/File Photo/ReutersFriends of Prince William and Princess Kate Middleton have told The Daily Beast that they would not welcome the “drama” a visit by Prince Harry would entail, and said Kate and William are focused on protecting their privacy as she receives treatment for and recovers from cancer.The comments add to a sense that while Harry and Meghan Markle appear keen to paint themselves as eager to reconcile with the royals after over two years of very public attacks on them—indee

Anne Hathaway Lost Roles After Oscar Win Because of ‘How Toxic My Identity Had Become Online,’ Says Christopher Nolan Backed Her: ‘I Had an Angel’ in Him

Anne Hathaway told Vanity Fair during a cover story interview that Christopher Nolan more or less saved her career when public opinion turned against her in the lead up to and the aftermath of her winning the Oscar for “Les Miserables.” Hathaway was widely mocked online at this time, and she once remembered googling herself …

Open Revolt at NBC as ‘Morning Joe’ Joins the Ronna McDaniel Pile-On

MSNBCThe stars of MSNBC’s Morning Joe kicked off Monday by adding their voices to the growing chorus of NBC News journalists and on-air personalities publicly chastising the media company for hiring former Republican National Committee chairwoman Ronna McDaniel as a network pundit.“I know you won’t be surprised to know that we’ve been inundated with calls this weekend, as have most people connected with this network about NBC’s decision to hire her,” co-host Joe Scarborough declared at the top o

Judge Rips Into Trump Lawyers, Sets Hush Money Trial for April

Spencer Platt/ReutersJust a couple weeks ago, before prosecutors handed over about 200,000 new documents to the former president’s defense team and the judge delayed the proceedings, March 25 was supposed to be the start date of Donald Trump’s first criminal trial. And until a pre-trial hearing for the hush money case started on Monday, March 25 was supposed to be the day—as the former president’s lawyers believed—the judge might excoriate prosecutors over the missing evidence and potentially is

Oliver Hudson 'felt unprotected' with mum Goldie Hawn

Actor Oliver Hudson has admitted he often felt "unprotected" growing up with mum Goldie Hawn because she was often working and had boyfriend he "didn't like".

'The View' hosts fell down the Kate Middleton 'rabbit hole' too. Now they feel awful

The panelists on 'The View' started their Monday with a public mea culpa for indulging in speculation about Kate Middleton before her cancer disclosure.

Aurora Lodge Main Photo.jpg

The show has never been better

Over the next year, the northern lights will be more vibrant than they’ve been in a decade.

Person standing under the northern lights

Your favorites

Hit the heart icon to bookmark a page. That way, you can keep exploring without leaving anything behind.

Sign up to save your favorite content!

Let us be your guide to the yukon and help plan the trip of your dreams.

Create an account to access personalized activity recommendations, save your favorites, and receive new and exclusive content by email.

Traveller Quiz

It’s a different world up here

Landscape mountain front

  • Attractions
  • Cultural experiences
  • Dogsledding
  • First Nations Experiences
  • Flightseeing
  • Horseback riding
  • Hunting & fishing
  • Iconic Drives
  • Klondike gold rush
  • Motorcycling
  • Natural wonders
  • Northern lights viewing
  • Snowmobiling
  • Snowshoeing
  • Wildlife & wilderness

Rich living-history, unique geography, and stunning scenery. The Yukon is out of this world.

Person mountain biking

Experience nature's light show

Get ready to be amazed.

Northern light

When is the best time to visit?

Experience the beauty of each season.

winter

Discover the Yukon

Learn about the traditional territory of the Yukon First Nations.

First nation

Yukon is a little bit metal

Rock out in the great outdoors.

Two people snowshoe in a snowy landscape

See & Do

A woman pans for gold in a Yukon creek

Plan your trip

Beautiful food plate

Get Inspired

3 people hike in the tombstone mountains

Yukon adventures for every timeline

Whether you’re looking to fill up a few minutes or an entire day, one of these trips will definitely fit into your exploration schedule.

Read article

A woman looks out a view from rocky cliff

A mountain biker's guide to shredding in the Yukon

World-class trails. Limited crowds. Jawdropping scenery. The only thing that will blow your mind more than riding this mountain biking hub (no pun intended) is ...

What kind of Yukon explorer are you?

Get tips based on your travelling style.

Woman with camera in wilderness

Yukon hotels get new funding to help with COVID-19 downturn

'we need them to be here when tourism comes back,' says minister.

yukon tourism advisory board

Social Sharing

The Yukon government is pledging to help save hotels and rental cabins from bankruptcy this winter, giving business owners up to $400 per room each month until 2021.

Jeanie McLean, Yukon's minister of Tourism and Culture announced on Monday $2.88 million in new "funding for businesses to stay alive."

"We need them to be here when tourism comes back," said McLean. Visits to Yukon by road and air have declined more than 90 per cent during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Tourism Accommodation Sector Supplement will give funding to accommodation businesses which have already maxed out funding from existing programs such as Yukon Business Relief Program.

Accommodations that remain open until January can get up to $400 per room a month between Oct. 1 and Dec. 31, until they break even.

  • Stats paint a bleak picture of Yukon tourism this year

McLean said the goal is to keep hotels from shutting down, and this will help hotels "meet their break-even requirements."

She said this is one part of a larger funding package of up to $15 million over three years, as relief for Yukon's tourism industry.

Funding comes too late, says opposition

But Yukon Party MLA Wade Istchenko said the funding comes too late, now that the summer tourism season is over.

The industry suffered "complete and total devastation," Istchenko said, speaking in the Legislative Assembly on Monday.

He questioned why it took government "until our streets and driveways were covered in snow" for the announcement. He also asked for answers on when travel restrictions will lift.

McLean said there is "no room for politics" in helping the tourism sector, saying this is a long-term effort.

She said the government will have further announcements which will cover other sectors, including the guided tour and restaurant industry.

About 1,200 eligible rental rooms

A government spokesperson estimated there may be 1,200 rental rooms eligible for the funding. Eligible businesses must have three or more individual rooms, suites or cabins available as short-term rentals.

There are about 1,600 rooms in the Yukon, she said, however a number are shut down for the winter.

Several smaller accommodations may already have enough support from existing programs to make it through the winter, said Alicia Debreceni, a communications analyst with Tourism and Culture.

The businesses have to prove they operated at a loss for every month they apply for support. The deadline to apply is February 15, 2021.

"We know we have to work hard with our partners to protect the infrastructure that we have," said McLean.

"We have some large hotels in Yukon that we need to have around if we're going to have a tourism sector at all. Some of them have already maxed out their access to the Yukon Business Relief Program, and we know this sector needs to be supported through this difficult downtime."

yukon tourism advisory board

Industry association says hotels have been in 'crisis mode'

Neil Hartling, chair of the Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon, said the new measure is "definitely what the industry was looking for."

Hartling said hotels have been in "crisis mode," in Yukon and says some have been considered too big for relief funds targeted to small business. 

One fear is that hotel closures now would hamper future recovery in tourism.

"It's super important that these accommodations are able to continue to be dedicated to tourism. If that relief didn't come, they would have to be re-purposed and we would lose them, and it would take a decade to get back," he said.   

Funds allocated for long-term revival and marketing

The Yukon government is also pledging for future marketing and longer-term recovery, to inspire tourists to return.

"The borders do remain closed but this is a longer-term plan," McLean said.

"When it is safe to do so, Yukon will welcome the world again."

The government says the funding package was informed by consultation with the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board and consultation with tourism businesses, First Nations and NGOs.

McLean said that in 2018, tourism was the second largest contributor to Yukon GDP at five per cent. The sector at that time accounted for 13.5 per cent of Yukon employment, which is about 3,500 jobs.

Written by Philippe Morin with files from Laura Howells

Related Stories

Explore Yukon

yukon tourism advisory board

Plan Your Trip to Yukon: Best of Yukon Tourism

Essential yukon.

yukon tourism advisory board

Trending in the forums

tourist2

Yukon Is Great For

Nature and wildlife tours.

yukon tourism advisory board

  • Dempster Highway
  • Yukon River
  • Five Finger Rapids
  • Tatshenshini River
  • Fort Selkirk

IMAGES

  1. Yukon Canada

    yukon tourism advisory board

  2. 7 Unmissable Things to do in Yukon, Canada (2023 Guide)

    yukon tourism advisory board

  3. Yukon Tourism (2021): Best of Yukon

    yukon tourism advisory board

  4. THE 15 BEST Things to Do in Yukon

    yukon tourism advisory board

  5. Local artists design 6 new banners for Yukon Government tourism

    yukon tourism advisory board

  6. COVID-19 relief and recovery plan for Yukon tourism sector released

    yukon tourism advisory board

COMMENTS

  1. Tourism Advisory Board (Yukon)

    Meetings: a minimum of 4 times per year. Department: Tourism and Culture. Honoraria: $125 per day. Next. Contact. For questions about the Tourism Advisory Board (Yukon), email [email protected] or phone 867-667- 3016.

  2. Department of Tourism and Culture

    For questions about how you can take part in our marketing activities, contact us. Use our resources to promote your tourism experience, service or destination. Email: [email protected]. Phone: 867-667-3532. Fax number: 867-393-7005.

  3. Things to know before coming to the Yukon

    Find information about emergencies in the Yukon including wildfires, floods, earthquakes and road closures at yukon.ca/emergencies. If you have questions about how this might impact your plans, our Travel Counsellors have lots of helpful information and would be happy to assist, you can reach them at 1-800-661-0494 or vacation@ yukon.ca.

  4. New Funding Package Announced for Tourism Industry

    Denny Kobayashi, Chair, Yukon Tourism Advisory Board. Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, Yukon had been experiencing record-breaking tourism growth and forecasts were for continued growth throughout 2020. Based on the most recent statistics, tourism is Yukon's largest private sector employer, accounting for 13.5 per cent of all jobs; generates ...

  5. Yukon tourism recovery will take years, says new government strategy

    Denny Kobayashi who is chair of the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board said the risk of COVID-19 is a concern expressed by communities and operators alike. "We heard it from Yukon communities, we heard ...

  6. Yukon Tourism Development Strategy

    The strategy is the culmination of a fourteen-month process to develop a long-term vision for sustainably growing tourism in the territory. Guided by a steering committee of industry experts, the strategy was developed based on best practices around the globe and comprehensive engagement with tourism industry stakeholders, Yukon First Nations, municipalities, the arts and culture community and ...

  7. Tourism Advisory Board (Yukon)

    More about the board. Read the board's 2020-21 annual report; Read the terms of reference; Type: advisory; Appointment process: ministerial; Requirements: of the 7 voting members: 3 will be selected to bring a tourism business perspective to the board's deliberations; 2 will bring a Yukon First Nations' perspective;

  8. Yukon tourism recovery will take years, says new government strategy

    The Yukon government is setting a goal to revive tourism within three years.That goal is optimistic compared to a national-level estimate from Destination Canada, which says Canada's tourism industry will need five years to rebound from the pandemic.On Monday, the Yukon government published a local tourism "relief and recovery plan.""Our goal is to return to 2019 levels of tourism employment ...

  9. PDF TIA Yukon's Process for Requests for Letters of Support for Yukon

    Applicants for a Letter of Support for the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board (YTAB) should have 10 years or more tourism-specific business experience, with both trade and consumer marketing experience, and should be recognized within the YT tourism community as a credible tourism expert.

  10. PDF The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Observatory, Canada

    YTAB The Yukon Tourism Advisory Board YTDS The Yukon Tourism Development Strategy. 6 Preliminary Study for the UNWTO INSTO The Yukon Sustainable Tourism Observatory, Canada Moose cow with two calves at McClusky Lake, Peel Watershed. Peter Mather. Preliminary Study for the UNWTO INSTO 7

  11. Tourism relief funding offers $2.8 million to hotels and overnight

    The new measures were developed with the input of the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board. Tourism is Yukon's largest private-sector employer, accounting for 13.5 per cent of all jobs and accounted for five per cent of Yukon's GDP in 2018, according to the government. Contact Haley Ritchie at [email protected]

  12. Whitehorse

    CommunitiesWhitehorse Population30,000 Surrounded by beautiful wilderness, the Yukon's capital is a small city with a big backyard. Whitehorse is the territory's travel hub—a must-stop for those driving the Alaska Highway and the first taste of the Yukon for visitors arriving by air. Once here, the options really start to add up. Paddlers take to the historic Yukon River that flows ...

  13. Travel Yukon

    Extreme Adventurer. You're all about going off the beaten track and answering the call of the wild with a howl of your own. As a lover of the outdoors, you've planned your adventures ahead of time but are always looking to uncover the lesser known and one-of-a-kind activities that can be found by speaking to the locals.

  14. Yukon hotels get new funding to help with COVID-19 downturn

    McLean said that in 2018, tourism was the second largest contributor to Yukon GDP at five per cent. The sector at that time accounted for 13.5 per cent of Yukon employment, which is about 3,500 jobs.

  15. PDF Tourism and Culture Briefing Note Index

    • This plan is intended to help Yukon's tourism industry deal with the unprecedented impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on global tourism and travel. • The relief and recovery plan has been developed with the input of the Yukon Tourism Advisory Board and tourism indus try organizations. Additional response:

  16. PDF Tourism and Culture Briefing Note Index Spring Session 2022

    Yukon Tourism Advisory Board - YTAB: T7: Watson Lake VIC: T8: Tourism NGO Funding: T9: Tourism Cooperative Marketing Fund: T10: Carcross and Tourism: T11: Whitehorse Airport Upgrades - Impact on Condor (includes HPW note) T11: T11.a. Whitehorse Aiport Airside Improvements (HPW) T12: Cruise Industry: T13:

  17. Yukon Tourism Development Strategy

    The strategy is the culmination of a fourteen-month process to develop a long-term vision for sustainably growing tourism in the territory. Guided by a steering committee of industry experts, the strategy was developed based on best practices around the globe and comprehensive engagement with tourism industry stakeholders, Yukon First Nations, municipalities, the arts and culture community and ...

  18. The Yukon...

    The Yukon Tourism Advisory Board has 4 open positions - the deadline to apply is March 9. The available positions are as follows: 1 will bring the perspective of Yukon's communities 2 will bring a Yukon First Nations' perspective 1 will bring a tourism business perspective

  19. Yukon: All You Must Know Before You Go (2024)

    3. from $189 per adult. Yukon Escapade: Lakes, Wilderness, and Hidden Gems. 1. from $1,002 per adult. 4-Day Whitehorse Northern Lights tour with roundtrip tickets from Vancouver. 1. from $1,619 per adult. Day-Trip To Skagway - Gateway to the Klondike Goldrush.