Destination review - Canadian East Arctic

Polar bears, wolves and glaciers are all swelling the tourist industry of the Canadian East Arctic in such places as Nanavut, Pond Inlet, Grise Ford, Kimmirut and Baffin Island. A record number of cruise ships are travelling to this area and some usually isolated communities are welcoming two ships a week. While this is a tiny amount compared to the Greenland cruise industry which expects 55,000 travellers a season in ships that can accommodate more than 2,000 passengers, it’s having a profound effect on local communities. Inuit sports such as the high kick and cultural activities that include throat singing are being demonstrated by those living locally and guides offer to take people on tours of the ‘town’ which is often little more than a shoreside encampment with one trading post. Growth in the Canadian East Arctic will continue to be limited because none of the 24 coastal communities has docking facilities, meaning visitors must be transported in small boats, but the scenic and wildlife spotting opportunities more than make up for it.