Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – In partnership with Destination Canada (DC) and the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC), the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to announce its role as the official host of the Rendez-vous Canada+ (RVC+) 2021 Event, which will be taking place from May 17 to 20, 2021.

Established in 1976, Rendez-vous Canada (RVC) is Canada’s premier international travel trade show, the largest gathering of travel professionals from around the world to meet with Canadian tourism industry partners. ITAC is honoured to be the official host and shine a light on all of the amazing Indigenous experiences from coast to coast to coast at such a prestigious event.

At RVC, qualified travel buyers meet with Canadian tourism professionals to gain the product knowledge they need to confidently promote and sell Canada as a destination. RVC is an important event for Canada’s tourism industry and the Indigenous tourism sector. It is an opportunity to build relationships with foreign buyers, and these relationships are critical to the recovery and resiliency of the tourism sector in the months and years ahead.

For the past five years, ITAC has been working with its members and partners to offer an Indigenous pavilion during the trade show, helping export-ready Indigenous tourism operators shine in the international tourism landscape and demonstrating the richness of Indigenous culture across the country. This year, due to health regulations, the event will be virtual but ITAC maintains a space dedicated for Indigenous experiences in Canada.

“As the national Indigenous tourism organization, we are honoured to create a space to help export-ready Indigenous tourism businesses in Canada connect with international travel professionals, proudly showcasing the diversity and richness of Indigenous experience in Canada,” says Keith Henry, ITAC’s President and CEO. “ITAC is pleased to be a part of helping Indigenous tourism businesses in Canada grow to meet the demand from international visitors as well as recover and build resiliency from the ongoing impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.”

As the official host of the event, ITAC will display Indigenous artwork in the virtual hall, showcase images of beautiful Indigenous tourism destinations, and will also launch its new inspirational video giving delegates the opportunity to discover the many incredible Indigenous experiences across the country.

ITAC unites forty-five Indigenous businesses and regional Indigenous tourism associations during the three-day event. Please see ITAC’s list of attending members below.