October 7, 2019, Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is honoured to be the presenting sponsor at the World Indigenous Business Forum (WIBF), which will be hosted in Vancouver, BC from October 8 – 10, 2019.

The WIBF was first initiated at the 2010 World Business Forum in New York City by the Indigenous Leadership Development Institute, Inc. (ILDII) – a non-profit organization focused on building leadership capacity in Indigenous people. Since the highly successful inaugural forum, the ILDII has continued to partner with international Indigenous leaders to organize and produce inspirational, well-attended events that help foster new alliances and enterprises by bringing together Indigenous and non-Indigenous leaders and influencers, from all sectors, to engage in conversation, envisioning and shared learning and investment opportunities.

This year’s WIBF in Vancouver will include a series of keynote presentations and panel discussions led by prestigious Canadian and international leaders, who will cover a range of topics – including tourism, investment, stewardship, natural resources, international partnerships, and technology – affecting today’s Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses. Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC and a forum keynote speaker, is excited to share how collaborative partnerships, focused on developing and strategically marketing the country’s diverse portfolio of authentic Indigenous cultural experiences, has helped accelerate the growth of Canada’s thriving Indigenous tourism sector.

“We are honoured to host the WIBF on Coast Salish territory and share our stories with the hope they inspire global Indigenous leaders to invest in tourism as a positive economic generator,” says Keith Henry, President & CEO of ITAC. “As a regular delegate, I can say from first-hand experience I have made invaluable relationships which have inspired me as an Indigenous business leader.”

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 other 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. To view packages and experiences available visit www.IndigenousCanada.Travel. For more information on ITAC visit www.IndigenousTourism.ca

Media contacts:
Jenna Hickman, Beattie Tartan
• 250-592-3838, 250-214-3480 (cell)
• Jenna.Hickman@BeattieGroup.com

Keith Henry, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
• 604-639-4408, 778-388-5013 (cell)
• Keith@IndigenousTourism.ca

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