Posted by make up on 2:50 PM
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Some of you might remember that I have been visiting Pond Inlet for the last two years. I am working on an independent research project, for my PhD in Geography at the University of Calgary, looking at resident attitudes to tourism here, as well as Churchill and Cambridge Bay.The reason for setting up this weblog is to give as many people as possible a chance to comment on my findings. I'll be in town from the 27th August – 1st September 2007, so I hope to talk to as many people as possible, but obviously I cannot speak to everyone, so this is your chance to look at the results, and to have your say!
I have posted below some of my selected findings. If you'd like to make a comment, to agree or disagree, simply add your thoughts by clicking on the 'comments' button at the end of each posting. If you prefer that your postings are anonymous simply select that option. If you'd like to contact me privately, please email me at ejstewar@ucalgary.ca. I'd also be keen to hear how you think this information can be best used in the community so that tourism in Pond Inlet continues to flourish. So send me your ideas! I welcome comments from visitors too, but please indicate that you are a tourist in the comment box. Thank you very much for your time and for contributing to the project!
Posted by make up on 2:48 PM
Posted by make up on 2:47 PM
When I asked residents (71 of you) to tell me about the positive effects of tourism in Pond Inlet, the following things were mentioned (and I have grouped them under economic, social, cultural and environmental categories):
Posted by make up on 2:46 PM
Posted by make up on 2:45 PM
* Tourism generates income for the community (19 people said that).
* Tourism is beneficial to local carvers and tourism is helping rekindle the craft industry (7 people said that)
* Tourism creates good jobs for local people (4 people identified that) and an additional 7 people noted that tourism creates job opportunities for local guides.
* Tourism provides a good source of supplementary income (5 people recognized that).
* Tourists buy produce and products from Pond Inlet (5 people thought that) and another 3 people said specifically that tourists buy local carvings.
* Tourism helps young people get out on the land to hunt (4 residents said that) and an additional 3 people noted that tourism allows residents to own hunting and camping equipment.
* Other people said sports hunters bring in big dollars to the community (1 person), pay for the guide’s gas and food (1 person) and sometimes sports hunters will send out care packages at Christmas time (1 person). Other comments included: tourism provides good opportunities for people with boats, dog teams and/or skidoos (1 person) and tourism helps local people develop new skills (1 person). One person suggested that Pond Inlet had “done very well from tourism without doing much as a community”. Another resident said that the money generated from tourism is re-spent in the local shops. And finally one person thought that tourism has the potential to add a lot more money to the Pond Inlet economy.
Posted by make up on 2:44 PM
Posted by make up on 2:43 PM
* Tourism is a good way to meet new people (11 people said that) and tourism is fun, exciting and its enjoyable to take part in activities alongside the tourists (7 people felt that).
* Tourism gives the community recognition as a good place to visit (6 people thought that) and that this ‘recognition’ makes residents feel proud (1 person) and particularly proud of local guides (1 person).
* Tourism facilitates communication between Inuit and Qallunaat (white people) (6 people identified that). Communication is enhanced when tourists and locals interact (6 people said they had experienced that) and friendships can develop between residents and tourists (4 people recognized that).
* Tourism is an opportunity to educate visitors and to dispel myths about living in the north (8 residents noted that) as well as tourism being a vehicle to showcase Inuit culture and land (6 people thought that).
* Other people noted that: it is good to see tourists enjoying themselves (2 people); it is good for local people to see the cruise ships (1 person); that some tourism jobs allow families to work together (1 person) and that the visitor centre also is used by the community (1 person).
Posted by make up on 2:42 PM
Posted by make up on 2:40 PM
* Sports hunters leave some of the meat from their hunts with local people (3 people said that).
* Tourism gives local people an opportunity to participate in cultural demonstrations (4 people thought that).
* Tourism provides lots of opportunities for young Inuit people (1 person).
* The cultural shows interpret the “traditions of our ancestors and keep these traditions alive” (1 person).
* Local people talk more about ‘IQ’ (Inuit Qaujimajatuqangit - Inuit way of interpreting the world) because tourists ask questions (1 person).
Posted by make up on 2:39 PM
.jpg)
Some of you might remember that I have been visiting Pond Inlet for the last two years. I am working on an independent research project, for my PhD in Geography at the University of Calgary, looking at resident attitudes to tourism here, as well as Churchill and Cambridge Bay.The reason for setting up this weblog is to give as many people as possible a chance to comment on my findings. I'll be in town from the 27th August – 1st September 2007, so I hope to talk to as many people as possible, but obviously I cannot speak to everyone, so this is your chance to look at the results, and to have your say!
