The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) kicked off the National Indigenous Tourism Conference (NITC) on 08MAR, bringing together 350 Indigenous and non-Indigenous tourism leaders, including Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance Randy Boissonnault, in a focused conversation on how the Indigenous tourism sector will rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19.
“Indigenous tourism brings economic stability, education, training, and job creation to communities that are often overlooked by our governments,” said Keith Henry, President and CEO of ITAC.
“It’s no secret that the pandemic has had and continues to have devastating impacts on our industry, but NITC provides an opportunity to unite with Indigenous and non-Indigenous tourism leaders and build back the industry better than it was before.”
The conference runs from 08-10MAR at the Grey Eagle Resort & Casino on Tsuut’ina Nation lands in Calgary, Alberta. This year’s theme, “Building Back Better,” will see Indigenous operators, funding partners and industry supporters join a focused conversation on how the Indigenous tourism sector will rebuild from the impacts of COVID-19.
“The Indigenous tourism experiences available here for Canadian and international travellers are unique in the world,” said Boissonnault. “It is through respect and partnership that we will ensure that Indigenous tourism not only recovers from the pandemic, but meets its impressive growth potential. The Government of Canada is proud to support Indigenous tourism businesses as we continue on the road to reconciliation, whether through financial assistance, technology or promotion in Canada and abroad.”
“The Canadian economy will not fully recover until our tourism sector recovers,” Boissonnault added.
The conference also includes topics related to recovery and resilience and will focus on how the sector can work together to rebuild as the pandemic subsides. Attendees can take part in hands-on workshops and breakout sessions with operators in key areas, and ITAC's “Building Back Better” plan will be rolled out in full detail.
“We did the work to create the Building Back Better plan,” continues Henry. “Now we need the support of the industry and government to ensure we’re working hand-in-hand.”
For more information on NITC, visit its web site.
Funding for Indigenous Tourism Businesses
ITAC notes that individual businesses and Provincial/Territorial Indigenous Tourism Organizations will need to apply for repayable or non-repayable funding directly through their respective RDAs. Contributions to Indigenous entities (not generating profits) will normally be non-repayable. Indigenous applicants are invited to apply through the process described below:
- For communities in Atlantic Canada: Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency (ACOA)
- For communities in Quebec: Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions (CED)
- For communities in Canada's three territories: Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency (CanNor)
- For communities in southern Ontario: Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario (FedDev Ontario)
- For communities in northern Ontario: FedNor
- For communities in Western Canada: Western Economic Diversification Canada (WD)
Though Canadian domestic travel restrictions have begun easing, ITAC notes that this funding has come at a crucial time as international borders remain closed and operators have nearly lost their second full summer season of business. While many businesses received initial non-repayable grants through ITAC in fall 2020, without a further influx of funding to offset these compounded losses, and the fact that ITAC was only allocated $2.4M of the requested $68.3M in the 2021 federal budget, means they could not provide further financial support to their members, the organization reports.
"After months of advocacy efforts by ITAC to secure the future of their operators, experiences and community members, this financial commitment by the Government specifically for Indigenous tourism businesses is welcomed by ITAC and showcases their recognition of Indigenous tourism as a vital part of the economy and the culture of the country," ITAC said in a statement.
For more information on ITAC, visit its web site.
