Thursday, September 1st, 2016 (Tsuut’ina Territory-Calgary, AB) – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) board met this week in Treaty Seven Territory at the Tsuut’ina Nation and the Grey Eagle Resort and Casino. ITAC tourism industry leaders addressed numerous planning initiatives as the organization implements the ITAC Five Year Plan 2016-2021 The Path Forward.

ITAC was pleased to have a number of partners attend including Indigenous and Northern Affairs Canada (INAC), Destination Canada (DC), Canadian Inbound Tourism Asia Pacific (CITAP). In addition ITAC tourism representatives visited local Aboriginal tourism experiences which included the Spotted Elk Cultural Center.

ITAC President and CEO Mr. Keith Henry stated, “ITAC is making significant progress for our members and the Aboriginal tourism industry throughout Canada. We are planning for success with strong governance and tactics to support future marketing, experience development, and labour market strategies.”

ITAC board meeting highlights included:

  • National ITAC marketing strategy tactical planning
  • Future Destination Canada and ITAC initiative planning
  • Focus on capacity development and planning with regional and individual Aboriginal tourism associations and businesses
  • Finalization for the International Aboriginal Tourism Conference in December 2016 at Membertou First Nations in Sydney, Nova Scotia.
  • Plus many other key areas

ITAC President and CEO Henry concluded, “Our board continues to implement the vision of our 5 year plan to ensure future industry growth. Partners such as Destination Canada and INAC attending demonstrate our collective commitment to grow Aboriginal tourism throughout Canada. I personally thank Destination Canada President and CEO Mr. David Goldstein for his commitment to present and attend a large portion of our ITAC meeting. It was equally important to have INAC representative Mr. Nicholas Yee attend. ITAC and our industry will need these key partners, as well as many others, to ensure we achieve ATAC’s 5 year planning targets of approximately $1.7 billion in annual revenues, 50 new export ready Aboriginal tourism businesses, and 9000 new employees by 2021. The future is exciting!”

For more information on the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), visit www.IndigenousTourism.ca.

About Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

Originally formed as the Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Circle, in 2015 the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) was formally established as a national non-profit Aboriginal tourism industry organization. Today ITAC includes representation from 15 Aboriginal tourism industry representatives and organizations. Through a unified Aboriginal tourism industry voice, ITAC focuses on creating partnerships between associations, organizations, government departments and industry leaders from across Canada to support the growth of Aboriginal tourism in Canada.

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Media contact:

Keith Henry, Chair/CEO, ITAC: 1-604-639-4408 or k.henry@aboriginalcanada.ca

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