Stable funding will boost the fastest growing tourism sector in the province.
Onanole, Manitoba –The future of Indigenous tourism in Manitoba looks bright following the signing of a five-year agreement between the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), Indigenous Tourism Manitoba (ITM), and Travel Manitoba. The agreement boosts Manitoba’s $91 million a year Indigenous tourism industry, the fastest growing tourism sector in the province and already employing over 1,600 people.
The Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was ratified at the third annual Indigenous Tourism Conference 2025 & Grass Grows Rivers Flow Summit held at Elkhorn Resort Spa and Conference Centre. The extended MOU ensures stable funding for ITM over the next five years and enables the three tourism organizations to focus on further developing the industry.
“The Manitoba government’s investment, announced in Budget 2025, provided the stable funding that will help Indigenous-led tourism to realize its full potential,” said Colin Ferguson, President and CEO of Travel Manitoba. “Travel Manitoba is proud to meaningfully contribute to the ongoing work of truth and reconciliation through the actions outlined in this MOU.”
“We are thrilled to continue our ongoing partnership with Indigenous Tourism Manitoba and Travel Manitoba through this multi-year agreement,” said Keith Henry, President and CEO of Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. “There’s a tremendously strong Indigenous culture in Manitoba and support for Indigenous tourism in the province, along with a solid foundation for supporting economic development among communities and entrepreneurs. Moreover, Travel Manitoba’s contribution to the ITDF prioritizes infrastructure, human resources, development and marketing to support Indigenous tourism growth, aligning with ITAC’s strategy for Canada to become a global leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030.”
“Building the Indigenous tourism industry flips the script by creating economic opportunities for Indigenous people and communities,” Holly Spence, CEO of Indigenous Tourism Manitoba said. “Authentic Indigenous tourism experiences give us an opportunity to share our stories with local, national and global audiences while creating jobs and supporting economic reconciliation.”
Travel Manitoba also announced it is making further tangible contributions to its commitment to supporting Indigenous tourism, donating five per cent of all merchandise sales to the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund (ITDF) as a way to support Indigenous operators and the industry as a whole. Through the ITDF, ITAC aims to invest $127 million to achieve 40 new tourism businesses and 714 jobs by 2030 in Manitoba alone.
Travel Manitoba is a Crown Corporation under provincial legislation that leads and stimulates sustainable tourism growth in Manitoba’s $1.82 billion tourism industry. In partnership with the tourism industry, the agency is responsible for tourism marketing, visitor information services, research and public information.
For more information, please contact:
Winnipeg
Louise Waldman
Vice-President, Communications and Strategic Engagement
lwaldman@travelmanitoba.com
204-619-5953
Onanole
Jess Hassard
Communications Specialist
jhassard@travelmanitoba.com
431-335-6653