The Yukon Historical & Museums Association (YHMA) is participating in a new, collaborative, and industry-led initiative to explore the possible development of a territory-wide Destination Improvement Fee (DIF).
This work is being led by the Tourism Partners — Klondike Visitors Association (KVA), Tourism Industry Association of the Yukon (TIA Yukon), Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon (WTAY), Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT), Yukon Outfitters Association (YOA), and YHMA — with funding support from the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor) and the Government of Yukon.
The initiative is focused on understanding whether and how a made-in-Yukon DIF could support both the community and industry in the long term. A news release announcing the launch of Phase 1 of this work has been shared with Yukon and national media. No decisions have been made — this phase is about listening, learning, and understanding options together as an industry.
Why This Work Is Happening
Tourism is a vital part of Yukon’s economy and community life. This initiative is exploring whether a territory-wide Destination Improvement Fee could support:
- Tourism sustainability
- Enhanced visitor experiences
- Shared industry priorities
- Long-term investment in tourism infrastructure and services
The work is grounded in the principle that the tourism industry is best positioned to lead this exploration.
Industry-Led & Inclusive
While the initiative is led by the Tourism Partners, the project emphasizes engagement across:
- All tourism sectors
- All regions of the Yukon
- Yukon First Nations and Indigenous partners
- Communities and stakeholders
The process is focused on listening, learning, and working collaboratively to ensure any future approach reflects Yukon’s unique economic, cultural, and geographic realities.
What Happens Next
Consulting proponents are under review to be engaged to support facilitated industry engagement and analysis.
Over the coming months, the project will:
- Gather input from tourism operators and partners
- Explore governance and funding models
- Identify potential priorities and opportunities
- Share findings with industry partners and funders
Results will help inform next steps and future decision-making.
Primary Project Contact
Allison Camenzuli
Executive Director, Wilderness Tourism Association of the Yukon
executive@wtay.com | P: 867-668-3369 | C: 867-446-9960