January 22, 2020, Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – The launch of Air North‘s new winter route between Yellowknife, NWT and Vancouver, BC last week is worth celebrating as it will bring valuable exposure to the NWT’s Indigenous Tourism experiences, says Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
ITAC’s Marketing Coordinator, Ryan Rogers, attended the celebration of Air North’s inaugural flight connecting Yellowknife, NWT and Vancouver, BC at the Vancouver International Airport on January 17, 2020. The new seasonal route will continue on Mondays and Fridays until March 2, 2020.
The winter flight route will contribute to the development and success of Indigenous tourism businesses in the region and help meet the growing demand for Indigenous tourism experiences throughout Canada. “For our Indigenous stakeholders in the north, providing more access to one of the best places in the world for aurora borealis viewing, as well as the many winter Indigenous experiences, is essential for ITAC as we focus on tourism development,” says Henry.
“We intend to provide great northern hospitality and unique experiences that are themed around Indigenous tourism and aurora viewing,” says Benjamin Ryan, Air North’s Chief Commercial Officer. “Passengers can begin to immerse themselves in the journey the second they board the aircraft.”
More information on Air North, Yukon’s airline, and its many routes to the north can be found at www.FlyAirNorth.com.
About the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is the lead organization tasked with growing the Indigenous tourism industry across the country. Inspired by a vision for a thriving Indigenous tourism economy sharing authentic, memorable and enriching experiences, ITAC develops relationships with groups and regions with similar mandates. By uniting the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada, ITAC works to enable collective support, product development, promotion and marketing of authentic Indigenous cultural tourism businesses in a respectful protocol. With Indigenous tourism outpacing Canadian tourism activity overall and international demand for Indigenous experiences at an all-time high, ITAC recently updated its five-year plan. Additionally, ITAC just launched their Nations magazine, highlighting Indigenous people and experiences across the country.
To book packages and experiences, travellers may visit www.IndigenousCanada.Travel.
For more information on ITAC, visit www.IndigenousTourism.ca.
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Media Contacts:
Deirdre Campbell, Beattie Tartan
250-592-3838, 250-882-9199
Deirdre.Campbell@BeattieGroup.com
Keith Henry, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
604-639-4408, 778-388-5013
Keith@IndigenousTourism.ca
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