Parks Development
Nunavut’s four national parks, territorial parks like Katannilik, Kekerten and Ovayuk, and the heritage river systems, play an important role in the territorial economy.
Parks are major attractions within our tourism industry, drawing visitors from around the world to see Nunavut’s extraordinary natural beauty, wildlife, and rich cultural heritage.
Twenty per cent of visitors, and almost 40 per cent of visitors from outside North America, come to Nunavut specifically to go hiking, rafting, backpacking, dog sledding or camping in Nunavut parks. In the Baffin region, more than 35 per cent of all tourists come for the parks.
Under an Inuit benefits agreement, parks services are provided by local outfitters and guides, and local businesses offer transportation and accommodations services. In some communities, such as Pangnirtung and Pond Inlet, parks are adjacent to galleries, artists’ studios and museums, and are a major component of the local economy.
