News
Yukon Wild Update
Our Summer promotional campaign will be launching in January of 2025 for those members that are part of our Yukon Wild Marketing Program. WTAY Board has been engaging with Yukon Tourism and Culture to evolve and develop out a more efficient and beneficial Yukon Wild Marketing Program for members and industry. Look for further updates soon as we engage with members on how you can participate.
Meet our Yukon Wild members:
CanNor - Tourism House Project and the Tourism Association Partnerships Update
WTAY continues to lead the CanNor-funded Tourism House project in coordination with all seven Tourism Association Partners: WTAY, TIA Yukon, Yukon Convention Bureau, Yukon Historical and Museums Association, Yukon First Nation Cultural Tourism Association, Yukon Outfitters Association, and Klondike Visitors Association. This working group consists of Executive Directors or Administrators and a Steering Committee Chair from each board. The group has received a detailed Research and Business Opportunity Study, which includes comprehensive business plans for the next steps. This was the result of mass industry engagement, research and planning in 2023-2024.
A majority of the Tourism Association Partners (TAPs) have agreed to engage in considering the development of a Destination Improvement Fee (DIF) to establish funding stability for the industry. From now until mid-January, we will consult with all boards and industry stakeholders to confirm the decision to proceed with potential funding steps with CanNor. This engagement has already begun and was part of the initial plan for the remainder of the 2024/2025 budget for the project.
As the CanNor Expression of Interest (EOI) submission for coming years was due on November 18, 2024, the TAPs agreed to move forward with the submission to continue progress on the DIF development. It was also agreed that WTAY and Legacy Group should continue with this development. This positions the TAPs to submit a proposal if they choose to proceed in late January or February 2025 with CanNor. We expect to hear if the TAP DIF EOI, submitted on November 18, 2024, has been accepted in early January 2025. This will allow us to further develop the proposal after engaging with individual TAP boards in December and January.
For more information email info@wtay.com
Tourism Industry Staff Housing Update
To develop an actual "Tourism House" or housing investment for the industry, revenue development is essential, making the Destination Improvement Fee (DIF) the focused next step. Given the industry's immediate need for short-term rentals for staff, we have allocated a budget to create a short-term rental database within the 2024-2025 CanNor budget. This database will be provided in a digital format for easy access, connecting the tourism industry with available private rental businesses. With support from industry partners such as NVD, Neighbourly North, and Benchmark, residents or small businesses as we aim to enhance affordable access to rentals for the spring 2025 season. More information will be provided in January 2025.