INUVIK - It had been only one week since Inuvik's Arctic Nature Tours opened for the summer.

But on June 7 - flipping through a thick red binder of names and registrations - summer employee Shayna Allen, 17, said the flight company had already booked 30 clients.

Inuvik's Shayna Allen stands between two colourful posters: One showing Tuktoyaktuk in the summer, and the other showing northern winter scenes. This summer Allen is working for Inuvik's Arctic Nature Tours, which flies tourists across the Beaufort Delta. - Philippe Morin/NNSL photo

"Mostly people want to see the pingos," she said, when asked about tourists' preference.

Allen said nature tours are a thriving business.

Surrounded by the Inuvik office's posters of northern lights, muskox, grizzly bears, Inukshuks, caribou antlers and traditional dancing, she said many people come a long way to be here.

And what better way to complete that journey than a flight from Inuvik to Tuktoyaktuk, for under $300?

Allen explained the tour company mainly flies people to Tuktoyaktuk via charter, though there are also trips to other locations like Aklavik, the Richardson Mountains, Ulukhaktok and Sachs Harbour.

One popular trip is the "Inuvialuit Cultural Tour," which includes visits to elders' homes and a walk on the famous Tuktoyaktuk pingos - one of which was damaged June 3 by a large fire.

"We take them into elders' homes and they hear stories," she said.

One can imagine the delight of tourists coming from places like North Carolina, who get to photograph a bit of "genuine" Northern culture and dip their toe into the Arctic Ocean.

When asked about Inuvik, Allen said people want to see the usual landmarks, and especially the Igloo Church.

She added many people ask about muskox, and wish to see the so-called "ice house" in Tuk, which residents use to preserve food. Imagine travelling thousands of miles just to peer in someone's fridge.

She added the job has many benefits.

"They flew me to Tuktoyaktuk last week, so I could see it and better describe it," she said, adding she had been there only once as a child.

Sounds like the beginning of a good summer job, in a place many people want to be.