Issued: Thursday, August 4th, 2016
Deadline: Thursday, August 25th, 2016 – 4:00 PM PST

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to issue the following CALL FOR APPLICATIONS to qualified Aboriginal tourism businesses and Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Organizations to participate as sellers in the National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase Program in China October 17th – 21st, 2016.

ITAC has created the National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase Program initiative to increase participation from qualified Aboriginal tourism providers in the upcoming Showcase Canada Asia travel tradeshow being held October 17th – 21st, 2016 at the Shangri La Hotel, Nanjing.

Showcase Canada Asia is a trade show created by Destination Canada in partnership with key tourism partners including Destination British Columbia, Travel Alberta, Air Canada, Ontario Tourism and several others. Showcase Canada Asia brings together over 100 qualified buyers from mainland China, Taiwan, and Hong Kong wanting to create new sales opportunities to Canada.

There is a growing global demand for authentic Aboriginal cultural tourism from Asian markets prompting ITAC to host this first ever National Aboriginal tourism section on the tradeshow floor during Showcase Canada Asia. This showcase is designed to feature authentic Aboriginal tourism experiences, while facilitating productive business connections with qualified buyers.

Aboriginal tourism businesses or Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Organizations must submit a letter of interest (two pages maximum) to provide information about their business or marketing organization in order to participate in the National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase Program.

Please also include name of your representative for your business or organization in the address by email or fax to:

Keith Henry – Chair/CEO
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
300-3665 Kingsway Vancouver, BC
V5R 5W2
Phone: (604) 639-4408
Fax: (604) 435-8181
Email: k.henry@aboriginalcanada.ca

The deadline for submissions is Thursday, August 25th, 2016 at 4:00 PM PST. ITAC will review submissions and confirm successful applicants on or before August 26, 2016.

The Process:

  • ITAC is undertaking a call of interest to Aboriginal partners, and receive and vet applications.  Early indication that this section may comprise 5 partners.
  • ITAC will subsidize costs for this event.   The subsidy will not cover all costs but to attend and budgets are being finalized in partnership with Destination Canada.
  • For Aboriginal partners already registered (prior to ITAC call of interest), RVC Project Office will process and provide refunds once RVC Project Office receives final approved list from ITAC.

Showcase Canada Asia FAQs can be found at http://ctc.teameventmanagement.com/asia/index.php/faqs/ 

In order to qualify, Aboriginal tourism businesses or Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Organizations must meet the requirements in accordance with the criteria provided in Appendix A.

Space is limited so apply early!

For more information about the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada go to www.IndigenousTourism.ca.

Appendix A – Selection Criteria

Selection Criteria for Aboriginal tourism businesses

Aboriginal tourism businesses must be “Market-Ready” to ensure the following:

  • Has been operating in a safe and professional manner for at least one year
  • Carries adequate insurance totalling no less than $2 million in liability
  • Has current business and operating licenses, registrations and permits
  • Has a website that honestly and accurately represents an Aboriginal tourism business
  • Accepts credit cards and debit cards as means of payment
  • Handles reservations/inquiries by telephone, fax and email on a year-round basis
  • Handles and is able to provide confirmation of booking arrangements within 24 hours
  • Has a product that is of interest to tourists, both domestic and international

In addition, Aboriginal tourism businesses must also ensure the following “Export-Ready” criteria are also met:

  • Demonstrate an adequate budget and marketing plan
  • Understand the roles played by receptive tour operators, tour operators, travel wholesalers, and retail travel agents and understand rack or retail pricing, agent commissions and wholesale net rates at each level
  • Be willing to include receptive tour operators in the marketing and sales plan and provide contracted wholesale net rates to receptive tour operators
  • Provide detailed pricing and program information to tour operators and wholesalers at least one year in advance of selling season
  • Be prepared to set up billing arrangements with the tour operator, wholesale agency or receptive tour operator
  • If planning to pursue group business, ensure ability to accommodate and adapt to the needs of the market (e.g. tour bus access and parking, washroom facilities, maximum group size, group pricing, and frontline staff that speak the language of target markets)
  • Carry adequate insurance (receptive tour operator can sometimes add suppliers to their existing policies at nominal cost)
  • Provide support (free or reduced rates) for international media and travel trade familiarization tours
  • Offer currency exchange rates consistent with industry norms

Selection criteria for Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Organizations

Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Organizations are organizations or committees that represent a specific provincial, territorial, or regional Aboriginal tourism destination. They serve as the “official” contact point for the destination for tour operators, individual visitors or meeting professionals.

Aboriginal Tourism Marketing Organizations registering as sellers must:

  • Represent Aboriginal tourism destinations
  • Have an international marketing plan and represent market ready/export ready Aboriginal tourism businesses