Thieves in Pangnirtung, Nunavut, have set their sights on tourists coming to the community and nearby Auyuittuq National Park, with three theft-related incidents reported so far this season.

Officials in the Baffin Island hamlet say they are warning visitors to watch their belongings in light of the recent thefts, including one case in which a couple's full backpack was stolen right before their planned hike in the national park.

"To my knowledge, it's happened three times so far this summer," Ron Mongeau, Pangnirtung's senior administrative officer, told CBC News.

Mongeau said the area is a tourism hotspot in Nunavut, since it is home to the national park, territorial parks, and a world-class Inuit arts and crafts centre.

"It's our job to make sure they've got the most positive experience possible, and being robbed certainly would not lend itself to … having a positive experience," he said.

The majority of the theft cases have happened at Pisuktinu Tunngavik Territorial Park, which Nunavut Parks describes on its website as a "great place to camp while in Pangnirtung."

The park's campground, located beside the community, is often used by tourists before they venture into Auyuittuq National Park.

Deelia Siivola, an official with Parks Canada, said visitors are being warned about camping in Pangnirtung.

"We always make sure to let them know that vandalism or theft could be a possibility," Siivola said.

Potential impact on local tourism

Kyra Fisher, who manages the Uqqurmiut Centre for the Arts in Pangnirtung, said she worries about the impact the thefts will have on local tourism.

"If we get labelled or stigmatized by being a community where it's unsafe for tourists to camp in the campground, I think that would be detrimental for tourism here in Pangnirtung, and probably Nunavut as well," she said.

The recent incidents illustrate a wider problem with theft in the hamlet, Fisher added.

"We've actually banned certain people from coming to Uqqurmiut because of theft, and it leaves a bad feeling and it's kind of depressing," she said.

Fisher suggested that the territorial park offer locked boxes where visitors can store their valuables while they are out hiking.

Nunavut Parks says it is not responsible for people's lost or stolen goods.

Mongeau said hamlet staff will put posters around the community, warning visitors to watch out for thieves.