Canadian Arctic

In recent years there has been an increase in the number of travelers who visit the Canadian Arctic Region for both business and pleasure. Adventure tourism companies have started to advertise the Arctic as an exceptional destination, where you can experience the natural beauty and wildlife of the North and the culture of the Native Inuit that reside there. Since the establishment of the Nunavut territory and government, the capital city of Iqaluit has been expanding, as Inuit from smaller Arctic areas travel to the city for more job opportunities.  This has also generated a rise in business travelers to the Arctic. 

There has always been an issue for those traveling to the Arctic from southern Canadian cities as there are no roads, because of this the communities in the Arctic have been very isolated from the rest of Canada and one another. The only option to get there is by plane and in the summer cargo boats service the coastal Arctic regions. So, a typical tourist would have to fly in to visit.  

Even though there has been an increase in travelers going up north, it is still significantly less than those that go between southern Canadian cities. Therefore, there are no major Canadian or US airlines servicing the Arctic. The two airlines that service Nunavut and the Northwest Territories are First Air and Canadian North. Air Inuit a smaller carrier, service the native Inuit community in Nunavik. You can take a flight from Ottawa on First Air and Canadian North. You can also fly from Montreal on First Air and from Calgary and Edmonton on Canadian North. These flights stop in Yellowknife in the Northwest territory and then continue to Nunavut. 

Flights going to the Arctic is consequently much less than other domestic flights in Canada.  So, regardless of the day, you choose to travel, flying to the Arctic is going to be expensive. These costly flights have continued to be the main challenge for those that want to travel to the Arctic and so has had a major impact on Arctic tourism. If, however, you can afford a trip to the Canadian Arctic, it would be one that you would always remember.