Upon completion of the certificate level students will have basic knowledge about travel and tourism pertaining to areas of importance to the development of community-based tourism products and experiences in the following areas: cultural tourism, special events planning, interpretation, social and natural history, guided day trips, customer service, marketing, and small business development. Upon obtaining a diploma the student will have elected to concentrate on the business aspects of the tourism industry or examine in greater depth ecotourism and Arctic guiding.

Inuit Qaujimaningit

Inuit knowledge is integrated into this program in the following ways:

• Content for many courses is derived from local knowledge of culture, flora, fauna, and arts and crafts.
• Elders are included as an important model for sharing cultural information in an oral tradition.
• Traditional activities which lend themselves to the development of tourism products will rely upon the students’ engagement in local research projects with elders and cultural experts.

Employment Opportunities

Parks Canada, Territorial Parks and Visitor Centres, Heritage centres, Entrepreneurial small business as guides and outfitters, events coordinator (Cruise ships, Alianait, community-based visitor town tours, lodges, tourism sector public service positions, research assistant, film crew assistants and guides.

Program Eligibility

Applicants wishing to apply to this program must meet the following criteria:

• Be 17 years of age or older
• Have a Grade 12 general diploma (participation in history, geography, performance arts, and cultural programs will be an asset)
• Submit three (3) letters of reference;
• Submit a letter of interest explaining why he/she would like to enrol in the program

Applicants without the educational qualifications who are 19 years of age or older may be accepted as mature students, based on experience and on individual assessment

Applicant Assessment

Application must be made through the Registrar's Office. Applicants may be accessed through the Nunavut Arctic College Placement tests for English, Math, and Inuktitut. Applicants may be interviewed for suitability and interest in continued post-secondary study.

Program Admission

Applicants will be admitted to this program based upon the program eligibility requirements and applicant assessment results. Admission to this program is subject to space availability. Priority will be given to those candidates who clearly demonstrate an interest in tourism studies.

Program Information

Tourism Studies program focuses on transferable skills within a localized, community-based tourism sector. The program includes a balance of courses in personal skill development, core content, technical skills, and cultural content. Key elements include: safety in tourism, cross cultural communication, motivation of tourists, small business skills as they pertain to the Government of Nunavut’s tourism strategy for community economic development and tourism readiness, professional guiding, interpretative skills, ecotourism, and internationally recognized industry standards.

Program Objectives

• Examine an overview of the tourism industry, including growth, development and economic impacts.
• Appreciate motivation for tourism
• Develop an understanding of the history and influences of the tourism industry in Nunavut
• Develop events and products for community tourism and planning
• Develop small business and marketing skills for tourism
• Enhance skill levels for those already working in tourism sector
• Plan, organize, and carry out successful trips, tours, events
• Develop increased options in the tourism industry
• Practice and appreciate the importance of customer service
• Build confidence in communicating historical, natural, and cultural knowledge with others
• Use knowledge of market forces and consumer trends to design tourism products and/or events for a home community
• Practice safe tourism
• Develop interpretive techniques for nature and heritage programs

Completion Requirements

Students are required to complete all course assignments. A cumulative average of 60% must be maintained to be eligible to receive a Certificate. Students must obtain Advanced Wilderness First Aid.

Locations

The Nunavut Arctic College Tourism Studies Program will be offered in the fall of 2012 in the following communites:

• Arctic Bay
• Cape Dorset
• Chesterfield Inlet
• Gjoa Haven
• Grise Fiord
• Hall Beach
• Igloolik
• Kimmirut
• Pangnirtung
• Pond Inlet
• Qikiqtarjuaq
• Resolute Bay

COURSES IN THIS PROGRAM

Year One Length: 30 weeks Core Courses

Elective Courses

Year Two Length: 30 weeks Core Courses

Elective Courses

Course Descriptions

Year 1: Certificate

Introduction to Tourism
Introduction to Tourism is designed to provide a basic overview of tourism moving between theory and practice. Topics include the principles and practices of tourism at all levels: national, international and within Nunavut. Emphasis is placed on the identification of cultural factors in tourism and new demographic trends such as how travelers recreate and seek culture. Updates on passport, visa, and government policies are introduced. Students will study Nunavut government and private tourism operations. Students will research and discuss tourism at present, the emerging areas of importance, and the pros and cons of its presence in their own communities.

Natural History of Nunavut
Natural History of Nunavut provides an introduction to the study of natural history of Nunavut, including flora, fauna, and geology. It also includes species and plant identification.

Guided Backpack Experience
This course provides an understanding of the theoretical principles and opportunities to demonstrate competency in a variety of physical and social nature-based environments with emphasis on both Inuit traditional and contemporary knowledge and practises. Particular emphasis is placed on trip planning, land navigation, Leave No Trace principles, food and nutrition, risk management and backcountry care. Skill development and application of theory will be enhanced through outdoor labs and a short-term multi-day backpacking trip.

Cultural Tourism
Students will examine the way the cultural expressions of a people are of great interest to most travelers. The concept of “life-seeing tourism” and cultural tourism in general is evaluated in the context of Nunavut. Students conduct research and use case studies in evaluating community resources and discuss the challenge for communities to provide a unique, special, and participatory tourist experience that will bring economic development while preserving the character of the community and its cultural resources. The principles of authentic experience, respecting the social and cultural way of life of the host community are introduced. The course concludes with students evaluating the role cultural tourism plays in contributing to world peace.

Interpretative Guiding
Design and delivery of nature and heritage program, interpretative techniques for guiding, guest relations, professionalism. Basic research methods are introduced to develop presentations and displays for sharing their culture with visitors. Photography is included in the course.

Interpretative Guiding Practical
This course ncludes activities such as preparing and sharing cultural foods, performing songs, dances and storytelling. Students will lead tours, interpret traditional art works, greet and host visitors in various settings, includes Cruise Ship Hosts.

Tourism Marketing
Tourism Marketing is designed to promote a consumer-oriented attitude and foster an understanding of how that attitude influences marketing and profitability of the tourism operator. In this course students will learn about tourist needs and expectations, and how various operations match and promote their products to their clientele. They will gain an appreciation of the elements of the marketing mix, including distribution, pricing and the costs, revenues, and profits that are considered when pricing tourism products. They will understand that the marketing commitment relies on quality service. The course ends with an exploration of marketing thought and its implication for in regard to cultural tourism.

Festival and Special Events
Emphasis will be placed on developing the planning and administrative skills necessary to manage a profitable event or festival in their community. Topics will include event choice, the planning process, market fit, community resources, identifying sponsors, coordinating between special event activities and other tourist services.This class will require students to select an event that they will use as the planning model for assignments and in-class activities. This event must be a multiple-day event and involve the event components that will be covered under the curriculum detail. An event worksheet will be used to guide students.

Introduction to Inuit Art—079-11
Inuit Cultural Studies is a survey course designed to give students an overview of cultural aspects of Inuit life in both historical and contemporary contexts. The course will cover Inuit material culture from pre- historic roots to contemporary Inuit art. The course will include three distinct modules: film/ photography; drawing, print making and sculpture; textile/craft (traditional decorative/sewing arts, tapestry/appliqué, and jewellery). Through this course, students will gain an understanding of the contribution of the arts to the socio- economic, cultural development of Inuit. This course will help students understand the factors contributing to the evolution of various art forms in the Arctic. This course will help students investigate their cultural roots for a greater artistic awareness and creativity.

Sharing Our History
Participants will develop personal knowledge of the history of the modern Inuit and historical/prehistorically occupation of their community, collect and share local stories, and students will develop a detailed personal portfolio of potential tour activities specific to their community. Storytelling, oral history research, and working with Elders are key elements of this course.

Small Business Management—031-252
This course in Entrepreneurship is designed to provide participants with an overall understanding, knowledge and skill required of entrepreneurs in the development and operation of a small business. The preparation of a business plan is an integral part of this course.

Year Two: Diploma

Ecotourism
An introduction to adventure travel and ecotourism; economic impacts and critical issues facing the industry and northern communities; sustainable development, ethical, cultural and environmental impacts; working with communities.

Ecotourism Field Camp
Introductory field camp will expose student to proper field techniques and camp procedures. Boat safety, botany, weather forecasting, and survival techniques will be further discussed in a field setting. Ecotourism activities such as kayaking, boat tours, outdoor traditional feasts, medicine and food plant walks, dog sledding, kiting, will be including where possible.

Leadership in Tourism
Focuses on leadership skills and includes styles and responsibilities, traditional Inuit leadership is the foundation of discussion of effective decision-making, communication, group dynamics and conflict resolution.

Map Use and Wayfinding
This course looks at the design, use and interpretation of maps; traditional and contemporary wayfinding techniques and tools; and the application of remotely sensed images used by environmental practitioners.

Tour Planning/Product Development
An introduction to tour and/or product development and packaging.

Managing the Guest Experience
This course is organized around fourteen service principles. Exemplars and case studies of excellent service are reviewed. Students will develop an appreciation of the importance of managing a business with the guest first and foremost. Three areas of concern include hospitality service strategy, service staffing, and service systems.

Tourism Business Law
This course provides an examination of legislation and regulation of the tourism industry. Emphasis is on risk management for adventure tourism. The course includes the implications of marketing and promotion, deposit acceptance and refund, waivers and international realities regarding marketing and product delivery.

Tourism Researcher
This course examines the role of tourism research and the researchers to collect, analyse and disseminate information about the multiple aspects of tourism. Participants will examine how researchers generate a body of knowledge about the phenomenon of tourism. Specific topics include legal and ethical research practices, research advocacy, market, industry and social research. Students will be expected to plan, conduct, and communicate a tourism research project.

Safe Travel—Students will learn preventative maintenance and trouble shooting skills related to the operation of various kinds of small engines. Small engine repair, snowmobile safety certification and Small Vessel Proficiency certification are components in this course.

Digital Marketing—an overview and basic understanding of key aspects of Digital Marketing The course will cover all key aspects of Internet, Social Media and Mobile marketing as well as Internet, Email, Social Networking; effective searching on google, micro-blogging (twitter); podcasting; copy writing for the web, social media & mobiles.

031-111 Management Communication
Examines the theory and practice of communications in a management context with emphasis on both oral and written communications. The classes and assignments stress a strategic approach to management communications in order to enhance the effectiveness of professional communications.

170-220 Bookkeeping
This course will provide the knowledge and skills required to ensure financial systems, day to day bookkeeping and accountability are maintained and supported. Topics include: maintaining financial records and accountability for audits, knowledge of accounting systems, and maintenance of accounts receivable, preparation of monthly bank reconciliation, preparation of bank deposits, issuing of invoices, recording of payments and receipts and filing of financial documents.

Ecotourism Arctic Training
Trip planning for Arctic travel, arctic survival, safety, risk management. Content includes preparing for and managing cold weather injuries; clothing systems; expedition nutrition; communications. A mini expedition will enable students to put into practice skills learned during the course. Students will research expeditions, extreme dog team races, and other case studies of contemporary arctic travel.

For more information on how to apply for this program, contact the Registrar's Office at 1-866-979-7222 or visit your local Community Learning Centre or Arctic College Campus.