Lekwungen and W̱SÁNEĆ Territories (Victoria, B.C) – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to share that Teresa Ryder, ITAC Director of Partnerships, emceed once again and in case you missed it ITAC and Intrepid Travel signed a landmark deal to support Indigenous Tourism in Canada at the IMPACT Sustainability Travel & Tourism Conference on January 25-28, 2026.
IMPACT is a leading sustainability summit for global travel & tourism. The annual Global Summit in Victoria, BC unites destination management organizations, tourism operators, government, Indigenous leaders and academia in a collaborative, innovative dialogue on our industry challenges. IMPACT’s goal is to align the Canadian tourism industry, as well as stakeholders and communities touched by tourism, behind a vision to achieve economic, social and environmental sustainability.
At IMPACT 2026, delegates enjoyed four days of inspiring speakers and workshops centered around IMPACT’s pillars of Ecology & Environment, Community & Sense of Place, Culture & Heritage, and the Economy.
On Day 1 of IMPACT, Intrepid Travel, the world’s largest adventure travel company, signed a landmark partnership agreement with ITAC, committing $500,000 over five years to support the growth and promotion of Indigenous tourism across Canada. Through the partnership, Intrepid will increase Indigenous-led experiences across its Canadian itineraries, with 75% of tours including at least one Indigenous experience by the end of 2026 and a long-term goal of 100% inclusion.
“Partnerships like this create tangible opportunities and ensure communities gain direct economic and cultural benefits,” said Keith Henry, President & CEO of ITAC. “This supports our vision of Canada becoming a world leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030.”
On Day 2 of IMPACT, Teresa Ryder, ITAC Director of Partnerships, Amber Berard-Althouse, Founder of The Land Heals/Chair, Yukon First Nation Culture & Tourism, Kevin Seesequasis, Community & Tourism Development Officer for the Beardy’s & Okemasis’ Cree Nation / Pêmiska Tourism, and Pania Tyson-Nathan, Chief Executive of New Zealand Māori Tourism, joined the panel ‘Indigenous Perspectives: Cultivating Cross-Cultural Partnerships for Climate Action and Regenerative Tourism.’ Ryder moderated that panel, exploring how Indigenous perspectives address climate challenges and transform tourism practices through stories, lived experiences and dialogue.
For more details about IMPACT, please visit here.