Oct. 30 – 31, 2018 at TCU Place, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan
www.IndigenousTourismConference.com

March 2, 2018, Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) will be hosting the 2018 International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) on October 30 & 31, 2018 at TCU Place in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan.

The seventh annual IITC will bring together delegates from the Canadian tourism industry, First Nations, Inuit, and Metis communities, as well as representatives from global Indigenous tourism organizations to discuss Indigenous tourism topics, barriers, opportunities and trends across Canada and the world.

This year, the theme is, “The Indigenous Tourism Economy: Learning Together and Sharing Our Stories.” Indigenous tourism has the power to change perspectives, preserve culture, language, and community and provide our relatives with a platform to be the leading voice in reclaiming our space in history — both ancient and modern. Tourism is also a key element of economic development for Indigenous communities when led by the community itself. ITAC recognizes and supports Indigenous communities and entrepreneurs to lead the way in telling the stories of their people and land to visitors, and the International Indigenous Tourism Conference is one way ITAC brings tourism to the forefront of economic development portfolios across Canada.

The International Indigenous Tourism Conference agenda will offer workshops on Indigenous tourism experience development, share tourism industry research and marketing strategies, and present key tactics to support growing local capacity for Indigenous communities. The IITC is also home to the Indigenous Tourism Awards, where Indigenous tourism businesses from across Canada are recognized for their successes in marketing, leadership and innovation.

Confirmed event partners for IITC2018 include Tourism Saskatchewan, Tourism Saskatoon, and Indigenous Services & Northern Affairs Canada. Other event supporters include Parks Canada, and Destination Canada.

For more information on the 2018 International Aboriginal Tourism Conference, check out www.IndigenousTourismConference.com

About the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) works to improve the socio-economic condition of Aboriginal people through the provisions of economic development advisory services, tourism conferences, capacity development training and workshops, industry research and information for Aboriginal tourism operators and communities within the 13 regions; 10 provinces and three territories of Canada. ITAC develops relationships with other groups and regions with similar mandates, uniting the Aboriginal tourism industry in Canada and works to enable collective support, product development, promotion and marketing of authentic Aboriginal cultural tourism businesses in a respectful protocol. The ITAC Board is made up of Aboriginal tourism industry representatives from each of the provinces and territories. For more information, visit www.IndigenousTourism.ca.

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Media contacts:
Brian Cant, Beattie Tartan: 250-592-3838, 250-888- 8729 (cell) or brian.cant@onlybeattie.com

Keith Henry, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada: 604-639-4408 or keith@indigenoustourism.ca

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