WHITEHORSE - Acting Minister of Tourism and Culture Glen Hart announced that the 2005-06 budget will be increased by $575,000 to further market the Yukon as a tourism destination.
"The Yukon government recognizes that tourism is an important strategic industry," Hart said. "Our investments in marketing are paying off with more visitors, creating more jobs and business opportunities for Yukoners."
$150,000 will be used to finalize the Yukon Tourism Brand Strategy. This strategy identifies key brand attributes of the Yukon for integration into all tourism marketing programs, which will be of long-term benefit to the tourism economy.
The newly-launched scenic drives program will receive an additional $350,000. This matches the allocation made last year to launch the initiative with a marketing campaign highlighting the Alaska Highway. This year, funds will go towards interpretive signage for the Alaska Highway and a new marketing campaign featuring the North Klondike Highway.
The government will also invest an additional $75,000 this year on media relations, website development and travel trade activities. These increases are in specific response to priority recommendations from the Yukon Tourism Marketing Partnership’s senior marketing committee.
Subject to legislative approval, the $575,000 adds to more than $9 million the government currently invests in tourism.
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| Contact: | |
| Peter Carr | Karen Tremblay |
| Cabinet Communication Advisor | A/Communication Officer |
| (867) 667-8688 | (867) 667-8304 |
| peter.carr@gov.yk.ca | karen.tremblay@gov.yk.ca |