ITAC, Destination Canada secure funds to boost Indigenous tourism across Canada

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and Destination Canada secured a $100,000 USD investment from Expedia Group to help boost Indigenous tourism across Canada.

The investment marks a major milestone in advancing Indigenous in the country and supporting Truth and Reconciliation Commission Call to Action #92, which is calling upon the corporate sector in Canada to adopt the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples as a reconciliation framework, and to apply its principles, norms and standards to corporate policy and operational activities involving Indigenous peoples and their lands and resources.

“Thanks to Destination Canada and Expedia Group’s ongoing work and commitment to Indigenous Tourism, we are heading towards our shared-vision to make Canada the world leader in Indigenous tourism experiences,” said Keith Henry, president and CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. “By investing in Indigenous tourism businesses and communities across Canada, we’re able to move towards reconciliation together.”

Expedia Group’s contribution is major boost into ITAC’s newly established Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund (ITDF).

Launched Sept. 7, ITDF offers a unique opportunity for travellers, Indigenous businesses and non-Indigenous companies to actively participate in and support Indigenous tourism development.

The fund channels contributions into four critical areas: infrastructure, product development, workforce and marketing initiatives.

“We are proud to be supporting such an important cause…we are committed to helping provide economic advancement for communities underrepresented in the travel industry, and this collaboration does just that,” stated Aditi Mohapatra, vice-president, global social impact and sustainability at Expedia Group in a press release.

Destination Canada and Expedia Group’s partnerships align with ITAC’s ambitious vision to:

• Ensure Canada becomes a world leader in Indigenous tourism
• Raise $2.6 billion over seven years
• Accelerate the growth of Indigenous tourism to $6B by 2030
• Create 800 new Indigenous tourism businesses
• Generate an additional 21,000 jobs

For more information on the ITDF, or to get involved, click here.  

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