Investing in Whitehorse

Whitehorse is the capital city of Yukon Territory. It is also the major service, transportation and government centre for the territory. With a growing population of over 40,000, the city is expanding to meet the ever-increasing need to supply goods and services Yukon-wide. As a regional supply centre, Whitehorse is also the largest service area for southeast Alaskan communities, Atlin BC, and travellers en route through Yukon and Alaska.

View of downtown Whitehorse overlooking the Yukon River.

View of downtown Whitehorse overlooking the Yukon River.

 
 
 
 

THE WHITEHORSE ADVANTAGE

With a selection of high-tech meeting facilities, top-rated hotels, delicious northern cuisine and professional destination-management companies, Whitehorse is an attractive location to host start and grow your business.

 
 

ATTRACTIONS & ACTIVITIES

 

  • Colourful history and scenery

  • Activities and attractions for guests during downtime: midnight sun, panning for gold, northern lights, dog mushing, mountain biking, cross-country skiing

FACILITIES & SERVICES

 

  • Conference facilities for up to 450 guests

  • Hotels and facilities only a few blocks apart

  • Restaurants and catering services, many featuring northern and organic specialties

  • No PST/HST and other cost-saving incentives

BUSINESS NETWORKS

 

Whitehorse offers a very strong business community that offers regular business-to-business events and a network of like-minded people. Key organizations include: Whitehorse Chamber of Commerce, the Yukon Innovation Hub, the Yukon Chamber of Commerce and the Yukon First Nation Chamber of Commerce. 

 
 
The Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre (KDCC) celebrates the heritage of Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) and offers a range of venue spaces.

The Kwanlin Dün Cultural Centre (KDCC) celebrates the heritage of Kwanlin Dün First Nation (KDFN) and offers a range of venue spaces.

 
 
 

REGIONAL ECONOMIC ACTIVITY

 
 

9% ECONOMIC GROWTH*

26,000+ CITY POPULATION

300,000+ ANNUAL TOURISTS

The Yukon Territory has four strategic industries: mining, tourism, retail and government. Despite the 2020 global pandemic, the Yukon is experiencing its strongest growth in over a decade, largely due to increased production in the mining sector.

* In February 2020, the Conference Board of Canada forecasted 13.7% economic growth (the highest projected growth in Canada). In its June 2020 update (adjusted for COVID impact), the Board projected 9% economic growth in 202 with an additional 7.7% gain forecast for 2021.

 

Mining

The Yukon’s mining history goes back to the Goldrush of 1898. Over the past five years, soaring metal prices, a shortage of copper on the world market and an interest in global expansion from China have once again made mining a strategic industry for the Yukon and an economic driver for Whitehorse. 

The close proximity to a deep-water port in Skagway, Alaska is an additional advantage to shipping to Asian marketplaces, reducing sailing time from Vancouver by at least 36 hours. 

Whitehorse is well positioned to take advantage of this industry. The airport, freight hauling, accommodations, food services, trained labour and many other services, come from Whitehorse to serve the mining community. This increase in demand for services has resulted in an increase in the need for housing and industrial and commercial lots.

 
An historic neon sign in downtown Whitehorse.

An historic neon sign in downtown Whitehorse.

Tourism

The Yukon has a long history of serving travellers en route to Alaska and is now growing again. Notably:

  • Stable industry with upwards of 300,000 visitors a year

  • Popular with German-speaking Europeans. Whitehorse now services direct flights with Frankfurt

  • RV travellers and fly/drives account for the majority of visitors

  • Coach travel is growing in popularity, particularly cruising through Alaska as a “land package” 

  • Majority of tourists are over 50-years-old , a resilient demographic with income and time to spend

 
 

*Tourism and mining are complimentary economies: 

  • Tourists’ demands for accommodation and services in summer compliment the mining industry’s busy fall activities

  • Conventions are often booked in spring and fall with tourists and mining service sectors using facilities in other seasons

  • Adventure tourism is taking advantage of many roads established by mining companies

  • Small airplane operators fly visitors to wilderness destinations and transport goods to mining camps

 
 
 
A vibrant art culture in downtown Whitehorse.

A vibrant art culture in downtown Whitehorse.

 
 

Retail

The retail sector in downtown Whitehorse is very strong and well supported by efforts to nurture planning and growth.

  • The City of Whitehorse Mayor, Council and Planning Department enable excellent planning choices

  • Active Chamber of Commerce and Main Street (Yukon) Society. 

  • Vibrant arts organizations

Government

Four levels of government are a major employer in Whitehorse. Federal, Territorial, Municipal and First Nations governments affect wages, commercial real estate, housing prices and the retail price index.