Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) continues to build Aboriginal tourism in Canada. This week ITAC is pleased to announce there will be thirty-one (31) Aboriginal tourism experiences and Aboriginal marketing organizations participating in the second (2nd) National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase in Montreal in April. The 2nd National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase is part of Rendez Vous Canada (RVC), Canada’s largest tourism trade show supported by Destination Canada (DC), several industry sponsors, and managed by the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC).
ITAC Chair/CEO Mr. Keith Henry stated, “I am very pleased with the growing support for ITAC as our industry builds the National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase, one of our key annual marketing tactics. The National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase is the vision of ITAC to create tangible marketing opportunities for market ready/export ready Aboriginal tourism businesses in Canada during RVC each year.”
ITAC Chair/CEO Mr. Keith Henry added, “In 2015 the National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase featured 17 Aboriginal businesses and the results were excellent in terms of media interest, increased buyer appointments, and growth of the national Aboriginal tourism brand. ITAC established the goal to feature twenty-five (25) Aboriginal experiences at our 2nd National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase. The final result of 31 Aboriginal businesses demonstrates dramatic growth and growing national Aboriginal tourism industry support. These 31 businesses will feature some of Canada’s best Aboriginal tourism experiences from throughout Canada. In fact, 12 of the Aboriginal businesses are brand new to RVC. Therefore, I expect significant excitement from buyers within international and domestic markets given the growth of our industry.”
ITAC Chair Henry concluded; “We are working to ensure effective buyer appointments for the Aboriginal tourism businesses and planning additional marketing tactics during RVC. As such, ITAC is also planning an invitation only travel media event and sponsored lunch during RVC to continue to raise marketing awareness and opportunities within Aboriginal tourism for the broader tourism industry.”
For more information about the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada go to www.IndigenousTourism.ca.
-30-
About the 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.
Media contact:
Keith Henry Chair/CEO
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
1-604-639-4408
k.henry@aboriginalcanada.ca
National Aboriginal Tourism Showcase Approved Businesses
- Cree Village Ecolodge
- Aboriginal Experiences
- Shakat Tun Adventures Inc.
- Aanischaaukamikw Cree Cultural Institute
- Eeyou Istchee Tourism
- Site traditionnel Huron Onhoua Chetek8e
- Aboriginal Tourism of BC
- Haida Tourism
- Musée des Abénakis
- L’Espace Culturel Ashukan
- Great Spirit Circle Trail
- Mi’kmaq Tourism Association of PEI
- Metepenagiag Heritage Park
- Quaaout Lodge –Talking Rock Golf Resort
- Parcs Nunavik
- Anishnabek Outfitting Inc.
- Grey Goose Lodge and Destination Deline
- Sea Wolf Adventures
- Skwachays Lodge Aboriginal Hotel and Gallery
- Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre
- Spirit Bear Lodge
- Tourisme Manawan
- Yukon First Nations Culture and Tourism
- Tourisme Autochtone Québec
- Eastside Aboriginal Sustainable Tourism
- Six Nations Tourism
- Tourism Industry of Wendake
- Adventures Inuit
- Nakoda Lakeside Lodge
- Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
- Takaya Tours