Strong commitment to Indigenous People and the tourism industry
COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver, BC) – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) applauds the strong support for Indigenous People and the tourism sector in the Speech from the Throne outlining the Federal Government’s priorities presented yesterday, September 23, 2020, by Her Excellency the Right Honourable Julie Payette, Governor General of Canada.
235 tourism operators receive funding with grants up to $25,000
COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver, BC) – Earlier this summer, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) launched the COVID-19 Stimulus Development Fund to help Indigenous entrepreneurs and their businesses stay afloat during the shutdown of the global tourism industry as a result of COVID-19. Later paired with additional federal funding of $16 million, ITAC will be able to support many Indigenous tourism businesses in the form of up to $25,000 non-repayable grants.
COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver, BC) – Leveraging the support announced earlier this summer by Indigenous Services Canada (ISC), the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is continuing to provide COVID-19 development stimulus funds to Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada.
“We are pleased to announce that we have received approval from Indigenous Services Canada to release the funding for 65 more Indigenous tourism businesses. These are businesses who had originally applied in the first intake of our Stimulus Development Grant, and provided all the required documentation by September 1” says Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC. “We know this funding for phases 2 and 3 will support those businesses during these unprecedented times.”
Musqueam Territory (Richmond, BC) – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and Vancouver Airport Authority (YVR) have signed a memorandum of understanding today, strengthening a working relationship which will support each organizations’ marketing goals, and contribute to the growth of destinations and key airline partners.
Hosting the partnership celebration was Teara Fraser, owner of Iskwew Air and an important figure in the Indigenous aviation community. Prior to Covid-19, there were over 300 Indigenous tourism businesses operating in BC and over 1,700 Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada.
Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC) – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and Destination Indigenous puts the lens on Ontario this week, with an opportunity to expand beyond traditional cottage country and Escape from Home while road tripping and learning about the rich history of local Indigenous culture.
Avid travellers, the Wager family documented their three-day journey through rural and urban settings, including paddling the Humber River with Oceah Oceah, a SUP paddling, SUP yoga and tour company run by Indigenous sisters Jenifer and Sharon Rudski. Their itinerary also includes visiting Canada’s largest Indigenous community, Six Nations, home to nearly 30,000 members of the Iroquois Nations, including the Mohawk, Cayuga, Onondaga, Oneida, Seneca, and Tuscarora.
COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver, BC) – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) welcomes the appointment of Marsha Walden as President and Chief Executive Officer of Destination Canada.
“In her past role as President and CEO of Destination BC, Marsha was instrumental in helping build a strong foundation for the growth of Indigenous tourism across BC,” says Keith Henry, ITAC’s President and CEO. “It will be an honour to work with her on a national level knowing that she is a strong supporter of our industry and Indigenous tourism’s positive impacts on the tourism industry across the country.”
COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver, BC) – Now, more than ever, international recognition of Indigenous experiences is a reason to celebrate! The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) congratulates Cluxewe Waterfront Bistro, Kwa’lilas Hotel and Salmon n’ Bannock Bistro for being recognized as Travelers’ Choice award winners by TripAdvisor, placing them within the top 10 percent of hospitality businesses around the globe.
Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC) – Midsummer adventures led by experienced Indigenous guides and outfitters are available to Canadian travellers as they yearn to Escape from Home, including small group guided hiking tours while foraging along ancient Indigenous trails, horseback expeditions and a guided adrenaline rush with a Via Ferrata mountain climbing experience.
And for cultural explorers, intrepid travellers can visit over 20 Indigenous museums and cultural experiences spread across the country. Presented by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), each week’s Escape from Home theme is being promoted with regional itineraries as examples, to showcase the diversity of Indigenous tourism experiences available and open for business. As well, media influencers are blogging and photographing their own recent Escape from Home adventures, providing invaluable insight into the experiences as they are today.
COAST SALISH TERRITORY (Vancouver, BC) – Destination Indigenous’ Escape from Home campaign is making it easy for Canadians to plan a wilderness escape or urban adventure as a way to connect with ancient and modern Indigenous culture, right in their own backyards or via a short road trip.
Presented by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), each week’s escape theme will be promoted with regional itineraries as examples, to showcase the diversity of Indigenous tourism experiences available and open for business. As well, media influencers will be blogging and photographing their own recent Escape from Home adventures, providing invaluable insight into the experiences as they are today.
Coast Salish Territory (Vancouver, BC) – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) invites Canadians to plan the perfect escape this summer in their own backyards with the launch of Destination Indigenous’ Escape from Home campaign, a series of inspired itineraries highlighting a range of authentic experiences that connect travellers to Indigenous people, their culture and the land.