The Yukon needs to see more tourists, Don Inverarity, the MLA and Liberal election candidate for Porter Creek South, said today.

He spoke at a news conference in front of Up North Adventures this morning.

The Liberal party would double the $5 million the government currently spends on tourism marketing, Inverarity said alongside Cherish Clarke, the Liberal candidate for Takhini-Kopper King.

Inverarity explained that since the mid-1990s, the number of tourists visiting the Yukon has remained almost the same.

In 1993, he said, the territory saw about 306,000 visitors. In 2010, there were around 311,000.

"In light of this stagnation, we should continue to broaden our European reach, and continue to expand our North American markets as well,” he said.

Clarke explained that a large portion of the money would be targeted at arts, culture and sport tourism.

"The money is specifically for marketing in tourism, so advertising overseas, and not specifically at any one business, but making sure this money is promoting Yukon as an attractive tourist destination,” she said.

The Liberals want to also use that money to expand First Nations tourism.

Clarke said that sector of tourism is gong to be taking off in the next couple of years, and the government needs to support that.

Neither Inverarity nor Clarke gave any specific First Nations initiatives they would work on with the extra marketing money.

"It's such a unique, northern First Nations perspective here,” said Clarke. "A lot of people, if they knew more about the culture and the history, they would probably want to partake with the First Nations segment in the Yukon.”

Inverarity agreed.

"It needs to be a team effect. We can't miss out on that cultural heritage that's important to everyone in the Yukon.”

The Liberals are the first party to announce their tourism platform.

With the 2012 Arctic Winter Games quickly approaching, the two candidates said, a Liberal government would provide event organizers with the resources required to ensure the success of this event.

"I'm proud to be part of a team that recognizes how increasing the tourism marketing budget is good for Yukon small businesses, like Up North Adventures,” said Clarke.

"A Liberal government will be here for Yukoners by showcasing our rich cultural heritage and our wealth of natural beauty to promote a strong economic future for our communities and our families.”

See related coverage, p. 4; letter, p. 7.