November 26th, 2019, Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh), Vancouver, BC –Keith Henry, President and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) will be awarded the honorary degree Doctor of Laws honoris causa from the University of Guelph, for his work at ITAC and commitment to the economic development of Indigenous tourism across Canada.
“You have championed the well-being of individuals with your work supporting the training and education of Indigenous people as well as the initiation of strategies to increase Indigenous market readiness, jobs and revenues,” said Franco J. Vaccarino, University of Guelph’s President and Vice-Chancellor. “Your leadership in building relationships and respecting interrelationships between people and within communities demonstrates a standard of excellence that is truly deserving of this recognition.”
Henry was visiting the university as an executive-in-residence at the Lang School of Hospitality, Food and Tourism Management, presenting on Indigenous tourism in Canada and its global implications to faculty and students, when he was told of the honour.
“To be recognized this way by the University of Guelph, a school known for its hospitality, food and tourism management programs, this is an honour I will cherish always,” says Henry. “I thank my good friend Professor Marion Joppe for initiating this recognition and for being a champion of ITAC’s work.”
Henry’s honorary degree will be conferred during the University of Guelph’s convocation ceremonies in June 2020 where he will also be asked to address the graduating class.
About the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is the lead organization tasked with growing the Indigenous tourism industry across the country. Inspired by a vision for a thriving Indigenous tourism economy sharing authentic, memorable and enriching experiences, ITAC develops relationships with other groups and regions with similar mandates. By uniting the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada, ITAC works to enable collective support, product development, promotion and marketing of authentic Indigenous cultural tourism businesses in a respectful protocol. With Indigenous tourism outpacing Canadian tourism activity overall, and international demand for Indigenous experiences at an all-time high, ITAC recently updated its five-year plan. Additionally, ITAC just launched their Nations magazine, highlighting Indigenous people and experiences across the country. To book packages and experiences travellers may visit IndigenousCanada.Travel.
For more information on ITAC visit IndigenousTourism.ca.
-30-
Media contacts:
Deirdre Campbell, Beattie Tartan
250-592-3838, 250-882-9199
Deirdre.Campbell@BeattieGroup.com
Keith Henry, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
604-639-4408, 778-388-5013
Keith@IndigenousTourism.ca
[su_button url=”https://indigenoustourism.ca/wp-content/uploads/2019/11/ITAC-Honourary-Doctorate-and-guest-lecturer-1.pdf” target=”blank” style=”flat” background=”#A20000″ size=”5″ radius=”8″]Download as PDF[/su_button]