March 8-10, 2022 at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino on Tsuut’ina Nation in Calgary, Alberta

Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC – The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has officially launched registration for the 2022 National Indigenous Tourism Conference (NITC), which will be held on March 8 – 10, 2022 at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino on Tsuut’ina Nation in Calgary, Alberta.

The theme of the conference is Building Back Better, which is a call to action to operators, funding partners and industry supporters to come together for a focused conversation on how the Indigenous tourism industry begins to rebuild from the devastating impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. This conference marks the first time the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada will gather since the 2019 International Indigenous Tourism Conference.

The COVID-19 global pandemic has decimated the Indigenous tourism sector with lost revenues, closed doors and a significant reduction in the workforce. Since the onset of the pandemic, almost 70 percent of Indigenous tourism GDP contribution has been lost. NITC seeks to delve deeper into topics related to recovery and resiliency with a focus on how collectively, as an industry, we can work together to rebuild the Indigenous tourism sector among the ongoing impacts of the global pandemic.

Registration for the conference is $299. ITAC recognizes that during these uncertain times, operators may require some financial support to travel and attend NITC. For this reason, ITAC will be offering a 2022 National Indigenous Tourism Conference Travel Subsidy to select Indigenous tourism businesses that meet the eligibility criteria. Limited budget is available and priority will be given to ITAC Members.

ITAC is carefully monitoring the Omicron variant but recognizes the need to continue to build confidence of travel in Canada. The event will be held in person, with a limited number of tickets available. ITAC is working with the facilities and event managers to implement and abide by all health and safety protocols to ensure the delivery of a safe event for all attendees. This will include proof of vaccination requirements and on-site COVID-19 testing for entry. In the event the Omicron variant continues to impact the travel industry to the point that ITAC can no longer host the conference in person, we will seek virtual options and/or postponement.

Register for the 2022 National Indigenous Tourism Conference here.
View the 2022 National Indigenous Tourism Conference Travel Subsidy Request Form here.