Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada unveils stand-alone IndigenousCanada.travel booking site

May 16, 2018, Unceded Mi’kmaq Territory (Halifax, NS) – The annual Rendez-vous Canada trade show saw 41 Indigenous tourism businesses attend to hold appointments with tour operators from around the world, the largest ever representation of Indigenous tourism in Canada to take part in the event.

Held from May 13 to 16, 2018 on Mi’kma’ki, the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People*, in Halifax, Nova Scotia, Rendez-vous Canada provided the opportunity for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to actively promote to buyers their new travel packages, outdoor adventures, cultural activities, and accommodation options from coast to coast.

“Indigenous tourism businesses are a mainstay of tourism experiences across Canada, and Rendez-vous Canada provides an opportunity for our organization to highlight and promote the depth and breadth of our members and partners,” says Keith Henry, President & CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. “A record number of Indigenous tourism businesses were represented at Rendez-vous Canada this year, but I suspect that we will see even more attendees in the years to come.”

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Highlights from Rendez-vous Canada 2018:

Destination Canada & ITAC Partner to Showcase Indigenous Cultures at Opening Luncheon
In addition to the record number of Indigenous tourism businesses in attendance, ITAC also partnered with Destination Canada to promote and share Indigenous cultures at the opening luncheon. Performances from the Mi’kmaq Singers Featuring Evan Googoo and Shift From Tha 902 highlighted local Mi’kmaq talent, and Juno Award-winning duo Quantum Tangle (Tiffany Ayalik [Inuit] and Greyson Gritt [Anishinaabe-Métis]) shared stories, songs and sounds from where they make their home in the Northwest Territories. The luncheon was capped off by a mesmerizing performance by cellist Cris Derksen (Cree) who’s innovative blend of classical music and modern sounds capivated the audience of more than 1800 tourism industry professionals.

Identifying Indigenous tourism as an integral part of Canada’s Tourism Vision
Representatives of ITAC and Indigenous tourism businesses were on hand when the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism, referenced Indigenous tourism in Canada as a key partner in growing the Canadian tourism vision.

“Growing Canada’s authentic Indigenous tourism industry is a key area of action for Canada’s Tourism Vision,” says the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Minister of Small Business and Tourism. “As these unique and captivating experiences show, Indigenous tourism in Canada is hitting new heights. My congratulations to Keith Henry and ITAC, and all the hard-working entrepreneurs and owners who make up our Indigenous tourism industry.”

Launching IndigenousCanada.Travel
ITAC unveiled their new IndigenousCanada.travel site, which invites travellers to book authentic Indigenous tourism experiences across Canada. Visitors are invited to visit Indigenous tourism businesses, hear stories, and learn about the various Indigenous tourism experiences across the country. The 19 travel packages are divided into a Getaway (one to three days) or a Longer Stay (four to seven days) and the site details include information on best time of year to visit, activity level, detailed itinerary, and starting price. Itineraries also detail the authentic Indigenous experiences that visitors will be immersed in during their visit.

Each package is available to be booked directly through the site or by phone at 1-800-665-6345 through ITAC partner The Travel Group. Additional packages and partners will be added over the coming weeks with more than 35 travel packages to be added by the end of the summer season. For more information, visit IndigenousCanada.Travel

About the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) works to improve the socio-economic condition of Indigenous peoples through the provisions of economic development advisory services, tourism conferences, capacity development training and workshops, industry research and information for Indigenous 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 Indigenous tourism industry in Canada and works to enable collective support, product development, promotion and marketing of authentic Indigenous cultural tourism businesses in a respectful protocol. The ITAC Board is made up of Indigenous tourism industry representatives from each of the provinces and territories. For more information, visit www.IndigenousTourism.ca.

*Rendez-vous Canada 2018 is taking place on Mi’kma’ki , the ancestral and unceded territory of the Mi’kmaq People. This territory is covered by the “Treaties of Peace and Friendship” which Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik/Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) People first signed with the British Crown in 1726. The treaties did not deal with surrender of lands and resources but in fact recognized Mi’kmaq and Wolastoqiyik/Wəlastəkwiyik (Maliseet) title and established the rules for what was to be an ongoing relationship between nations.

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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

Backgrounder

Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Rendez-vous Canada 2018 Attendees

National

  1. Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

Yukon

  1. Shakat Tun Adventures
  2. Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism Association (YFNCT)

Northwest Territories

  1. Aurora Village
  2. Tundra North Tours

Nunavut

  1. Polar Outfitting
  2. Arctic Bay Adventures

British Columbia

  1. Haida Tourism
  2. Indigenous Tourism BC
  3. Knight Inlet Lodge
  4. Sea Wolf Adventures
  5. Skwachays Lodge
  6. Spirit Bear Lodge
  7. Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
  8. St Eugene Golf Resort
  9. Takaya Tours

Alberta

  1. Grey Eagle Resort & Casino
  2. Sawridge Inns & Conference Centres
  3. Stoney Nakoda Resort

Saskatchewan

  1. Wanuskewin Heritage Park

Ontario

  1. Aboriginal Experiences
  2. Great Spirit Circle Trail
  3. Indigenous Tourism Ontario
  4. Moose Cree First Nation
  5. Wikwemikong Tourism

Quebec

  1. Eeyou Istchee Tourism
  2. Huron Traditional Site
  3. Inuit Adventures
  4. Kahnawake Tourism
  5. Quebec Aboriginal Tourism
  6. Tourism Wendake
  7. Tourisme Manawan

New Brunswick

  1. Metepenagiag Heritage Park
  2. Eskasoni Cultural Journeys

Nova Scotia

  1. Nova Scotia Indigenous Tourism Enterprise Network (NSITEN)

Prince Edward Island

  1. Lennox Island Mi’kmaq Cultural Centre

ITAC Developlment Program

  1. Wolastoq Boat Tours (New Brunswick)
  2. Whitecap Dakota First Nation (Saskatchewan)
  3. Fishwheel Charters (Yukon)
  4. Who What Where Tours (Yukon)
  5. Champagne Ashihik First Nation (Yukon)

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