News & Resources
The latest Thompson Okanagan tourism industry news from TOTA, tourism businesses, and communities.
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Annual Update 2022
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada released their Annual Update video outlining how they have supported Indigenous tourism businesses throughout the past year and have made great progress towards recovery.
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada released their Annual Update video outlining how they have supported Indigenous tourism businesses throughout the past year and have made great progress towards recovery.
Congratulations to the team at Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) on a strong year and all of your successes along the way. We are proud to work alongside you to showcase the incredible Indigenous tourism offerings we have across the country. For an in-depth look at their work for the past year, read their annual report.
ITAC Launches Original Original Accreditation Program
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has officially launched The Original Original Accreditation program that identifies market-ready Indigenous tourism experiences which are truly authentic offering high quality and high value to visitors.
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has officially launched The Original Original Accreditation program that identifies market-ready Indigenous tourism experiences which are truly authentic offering high quality and high value to visitors.
The Original Original Accreditation enables ITAC to apply consistent and fair criteria to any Indigenous business seeking formal recognition as being ‘Market Ready’. Accredited businesses will fall into three categories of Market Ready, depending on the market they are prepared to serve, which include Business Ready, Visitor Ready or Export Ready. This accreditation program is important to travel trade associations, international tour operators, travel agents, destination marketing organizations (DMOs), local communities and others to promote a quality tourism experience. The program also enables Indigenous tourism businesses to access lucrative travel trade networks and new visitor/consumer markets.
Job Opportunity: Director of Partnerships, Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
ITAC is hiring for a Director of Partnerships to join its growing team. Reporting to the president and CEO, this position is responsible for supporting relationships, partnerships, as well as developing and implementing programs across Canada to establish and grow regional Indigenous tourism associations. The Director of Partnerships will oversee corporate communications, internal market research, international projects, and memberships. The Director of Partnerships will also work with and support the Executive Management team, including the president and CEO, as it relates to partnerships.
ITAC is hiring for a Director of Partnerships to join its growing team. Reporting to the president and CEO, this position is responsible for supporting relationships, partnerships, as well as developing and implementing programs across Canada to establish and grow regional Indigenous tourism associations.
The Director of Partnerships will oversee corporate communications, internal market research, international projects, and memberships. The Director of Partnerships will also work with and support the Executive Management team, including the president and CEO, as it relates to partnerships.
ITAC announces 2022-23 Action Plan - Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has launched their 2022-23 Action Plan for the continued resurgence of Indigenous tourism across Canada. ITAC’s 2022-23 Action Plan supports the sustainable restoration of Indigenous tourism in Canada as the sector leader to support annual growth in jobs, marketing, GDP contributions and the creation of new Indigenous tourism businesses. ITAC’s 2022-23 Action Plan focuses on a four-pillar approach to business that includes; Leadership, Partnerships, Development & Marketing.
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has launched their 2022-23 Action Plan for the continued resurgence of Indigenous tourism across Canada.
ITAC’s 2022-23 Action Plan supports the sustainable restoration of Indigenous tourism in Canada as the sector leader to support annual growth in jobs, marketing, GDP contributions and the creation of new Indigenous tourism businesses.
ITAC’s 2022-23 Action Plan focuses on a four-pillar approach to business that includes; Leadership, Partnerships, Development & Marketing.
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada Releases Third Edition of Nations, an Indigenous Lifestyle Magazine
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to announce the release of the third edition of Nations, ITAC’s annual Indigenous lifestyle magazine celebrating 140 export-ready Indigenous tourism experiences from coast to coast to coast. This year’s edition features stories in categories such as wildlife, nature and adventure; culture and heritage; Indigenous culinary; and accommodations and relaxation.
Download a copy of the Nations, an Indigenous Lifestyle Magazine →
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to announce the release of the third edition of Nations, ITAC’s annual Indigenous lifestyle magazine celebrating 140 export-ready Indigenous tourism experiences from coast to coast to coast. This year’s edition features stories in categories such as wildlife, nature and adventure; culture and heritage; Indigenous culinary; and accommodations and relaxation.
This year’s edition of Nations includes individual features of Indigenous storytellers and artisans and explores exciting topics such as how to see the northern lights with an Indigenous eye; shared traditions and storied history; Indigenous wildlife tours and safaris; and sustainability in Indigenous tourism. The online version of this magazine includes enhanced content where readers can further engage with stories by clicking the “Explore Further Online” icons throughout the magazine.
Turning a corner from COVID-19, Indigenous tourism businesses are ready to welcome visitors back. Nationally, ITAC believes a full recovery of the Indigenous tourism industry is possible by 2025-26 and continues to leverage strong domestic and global demand for exceptional, export-ready Indigenous tourism experiences.
Download a copy of the Nations, an Indigenous Lifestyle Magazine →
Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) Releases Revised Three-Year Strategic Plan
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has released its 2022-25 Strategic Plan: Building Back Better, which will focus on revitalizing the Indigenous tourism industry from the ongoing devastating impacts of COVID-19. As the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada recovers from COVID-19, ITAC has set sights on moving forward in the most adaptable and sustainable manner possible, contributing meaningfully towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
While COVID-19 has paused the Indigenous tourism industry’s growth, ITAC has revised its targets to build back to pre-COVID levels by 2025, three years sooner than projected.
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has released its 2022-25 Strategic Plan: Building Back Better, which will focus on revitalizing the Indigenous tourism industry from the ongoing devastating impacts of COVID-19.
As the Indigenous tourism industry in Canada recovers from COVID-19, ITAC has set sights on moving forward in the most adaptable and sustainable manner possible, contributing meaningfully towards several Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). The 2022-25 Strategic Plan has three main priorities:
Inspiring ITAC member businesses across the country to rebuild or refocus their business offering through targeted business support, education, and training.
Leveraging partnership opportunities and investments with the Provincial Territorial Indigenous tourism associations to maintain their membership and infrastructure.
Strengthening ITAC as the national leader and advocate for Indigenous tourism operators and stabilizing funding through the federal government, partners, and membership.
While COVID-19 has paused the Indigenous tourism industry’s growth, ITAC has revised its targets to build back to pre-COVID levels by 2025, three years sooner than projected. This includes:
$1.9 billion in direct GDP contributions
1,900 Indigenous tourism businesses
40,000 Indigenous tourism employees
Tourism Industry Association of Canada announces MOU with Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) have agreed to formalize their partnership through a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). This represents a concrete collaboration between these two national organizations. The MOU is to work collaboratively and coordinate efforts to provide leadership, advocacy and engagement opportunities, supporting the recovery of the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada. ITAC and TIAC will work together to share and develop knowledge, complementary expertise, and market intelligence.
The Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) have agreed to formalize their partnership through a signed memorandum of understanding (MOU). This represents a concrete collaboration between the national Indigenous tourism organization and the national advocacy organization for the tourism industry in Canada.
The primary goal of this MOU is to work collaboratively and coordinate efforts to provide leadership, advocacy and engagement opportunities, supporting the recovery of the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada. ITAC and TIAC will work together to share and develop knowledge, complementary expertise, and market intelligence.
TIAC encourages the development of tourism in Canada and serves as the national private-sector advocate for the tourism industry. Responsible for representing tourism interests at the national level, TIAC contributes advocacy work supporting policies, programs, and activities that will benefit the tourism sector’s growth and development nationally.
Indigenous Tourism Infrastructure Survey
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) partnered with iTOTEM Analytics to assess the economic and societal benefits of investment in Indigenous tourism infrastructure. This survey is asking Indigenous tourism operators from across Canada to participate and provide information about their operations.
The results from the initiative will be invaluable for ITAC’s advocacy efforts as they push for increased investment and program supports to be made available to Indigenous tourism operators between 2022-2024.
The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) partnered with iTOTEM Analytics to assess the economic and societal benefits of investment in Indigenous tourism infrastructure. This survey is asking Indigenous tourism operators from across Canada to participate and provide information about their operations.
Aligned with the ITAC’s strategic recovery plan and vision for the industry, the results from the initiative will be invaluable for ITAC’s advocacy efforts as they push for increased investment and program supports to be made available to Indigenous tourism operators between 2022-2024.
The insights will help inform the action plan by highlighting how our industry has sustainably thrived in the past and help us understand the adjustments needed to get back on track.
Moccasin Trails and Indigenous World Winery Selected to Receive Indigenous Tourism Grants
WestJet and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) are providing nine, $10,000 grants to Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada, including two Thompson Okanagan Indigenous tourism businesses: Moccasin Trails and Indigenous World Winery.
WestJet and the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) are providing nine, $10,000 grants to Indigenous tourism businesses across Canada that have been devastated by the shutdown of the tourism industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The grants were originally earmarked through the WestJet/ITAC strategic national partnership, signed in November 2019.
Congratulations to the Thompson Okanagan Recipients of the 2020/2021 WestJet/ITAC grants!
Moccasin Trails: Kamloops
Indigenous World Winery: Kelowna
The grant recipients will be spotlighted on WestJet’s social channels and its newsroom over the next year.
The recipients of these grants were given the news in March 2021 and their reactions were captured in a new WestJet/ITAC video. The video features Robert & Bernice Louie of Indigenous World Winery and Greg Hopf of Moccasin Trails.
The WestJet/ITAC strategic national partnership is a three-year commitment that outlines how the airline will foster opportunities for Indigenous tourism by showcasing Indigenous People’s culture and history while bringing global audiences to take part in Indigenous tourism experiences.
For the full listing of the grant recipients, visit westjet.com/en-ca/best-of-travel/indigenous-tourism.
For more information about Indigenous experiences across Canada, visit DestinationIndigenous.ca