Treaty 6 Territory – Amiskwacîwâskahikan and Métis Region 4 (Edmonton, AB)  — The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) marketing and partnerships teams were honoured to participate in Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) 2024, a resounding success promoting 113 export-ready Indigenous tourism businesses.  

This annual event rotates across Canada and provides 1,500+ international tourism industry leaders an opportunity to meet one-on-one in the marketplace. Collaboration is quick, yet efficient, with pre-scheduled appointments by mutual request of both the buyer and seller. The end result: focused engagement around the best of the best of Canada’s tourism experiences.

A Golden Opportunity: Opening Reception Co-Sponsored by ITAC and Accor

As a Gold Level sponsor of RVC 2024, ITAC co-hosted the Opening Reception alongside Accor on Tuesday, May 14th, at the iconic Fairmont MacDonald. Themed “Canada Night,” the evening promised an immersive experience into Indigenous culture, featuring culinary delights, signature spirits, and captivating performances by renowned artists. The program included: 

Embracing Tradition: Indigenous Welcome Ceremony

On Wednesday, May 15th, ITAC led the Indigenous Welcome Ceremony, which honoured Indigenous protocol and set the stage for RVC appointments. Distinguished speakers, including Elder Lorraine Makokis and President Andrea Sandmaier of the Métis Nation of Alberta, attended the ceremony, which was accompanied by traditional song and drumming from Matricia Bauer of Warrior Women.

Connecting Cultures: DC/ITAC Networking Zone

ITAC collaborated with Destination Canada for the second consecutive year to design the DC/ITAC Networking Zone, a hub of cultural exchange and collaboration. Delegates had the opportunity to explore Indigenous experiences from coast to coast to coast, including the traditional art of Moonstone Creations, while enjoying informal meetings and relaxation between appointments.

Showcasing Indigenous Excellence: Delegation at RVC 2024

As the official host of the ‘Destination Indigenous’ pavilion, ITAC was dedicated to showcasing  Indigenous tourism and its members, highlighting the diversity and richness of Indigenous experiences across Canada. ITAC representation included: 

  • National representation was from nine provinces and three territories
  • 32 Indigenous sellers completed appointments in ITAC’s ‘Destination Indigenous’ pavilion, and 56 other ITAC members were represented by their respective provinces.
  • 110 ITAC delegates were registered to attend.

In addition, the ITAC Mentorship Program brought three ITAC members to RVC under the association’s mentorship program. The association was proud to have Thrive Tours (Sault Saint Marie, ON), North of 60 Aurora Adventures (Yellowknife, NWT), and Moccasin Trails (West Kelowna, BC) join the ITAC marketing team.

Sharing Stories: Media Presentation

Ryan Rogers, ITAC’s Communications Manager, presented an overview of Indigenous tourism to travel trade media, emphasizing ITAC’s initiatives, notable experiences, and storytelling resources. Twenty-one media from Destination Canada’s top international markets included Canada, the United States, France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Japan, China, South Korea, Australia, and Mexico. ITAC aims to inspire impactful narratives that highlight the beauty and significance of Indigenous culture.

RVC 2024 promised to be an unforgettable celebration of Indigenous tourism as Destination Indigenous and ITAC continue their mission to amplify Indigenous voices and experiences on the global stage. 

Since 2015, Destination Indigenous and ITAC have been on an incredible journey at RVC, and both couldn’t be prouder of the milestones achieved! Read more about the timeline of Destination Indigenous at Rendez-vous Canada.