The intent of this guide is to inspire excellence in Indigenous cultural tourism (ICT) experiences across Canada. These National guidelines are your tool to help you to develop and deliver a “market ready” and authentic ICT product. The guide contains valuable information, checklists and best practices. A self-assessment using this guide will help you to develop, deliver, and price an authentic Indigenous tourism experience – making you more competitive and successful.
The International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) is an annual conference bringing together people interested and invested in creating and contributing towards the Indigenous tourism industry. This year, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is proud to be hosting the 8th International Indigenous Tourism Conference (IITC) in Syilx Territory at the Delta Hotels by Marriot Grand Okanagan Resort in Kelowna, British Columbia from November 12 to 14, 2019.
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada has created a series of itineraries highlighting how you can add an Indigenous tourism experience to many of the popular travel routes throughout Canada. Whether you would like to shop for authentic Indigenous arts & crafts or taste Indigenous cuisine, stop in a community cultural centre to hear local stories and songs, or create a whole itinerary around Indigenous touring experiences such as wildlife or wilderness, there are options to add to your trip in every province and territory across Canada.
The following pages outline the branding standards for the Indigenous
Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and it’s sub-brand, Indigenous Canada,
created to present tourism experiences from the Indigenous peoples of
Canada to visitors from around the world. It speaks for a diverse and inclusive
group that encompasses the many Indigenous groups existing in Canada.
This document’s purpose is to assist with and to ensure brand consistency,
in both corporate and consumer-based applications. It establishes
ITAC partnered with Destination Think! to conduct a tourism sentiment index specific to Indigenous tourism in Canada. The resulting conversation sentiment score is a measure of ITAC and its membership’s ability to generate positive word of mouth around the indigenous tourism offering in Canada.
Destination Canada and ITAC partnered on international market research looking at the activities of travellers as well as their interest in Indigenous tourism experiences in Canada. The research covered 10 countries in Asia Pacific, Europe, India and North America and also includes a domestic market snapshot.
1.Indigenous tourism sector growth is outpacing Canadian tourism activity overall.
• Growth in Indigenous tourism sector employment and GDP is substantially outpacing growth in employment and GDP generated by overall tourism activity in Canada (employment: +18.7% vs +5.1%; GDP: +23.2% vs +12.0%)
In 2018, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) partnered with The Conference Board of Canada to conduct research into the current state of the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada. This new research follows up from ITAC’s previous nation-wide research project undertaken in 2015.
Working with our partners, ITAC has conducted a number of industry research projects. This research is undertaken as part of ITAC’s commitment to understanding the current state of the Indigenous tourism industry within Canada. The findings of the research is used to shape our programs and guide our work into the future.
