Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC)’s Post

The second funding round is being released to 67 Indigenous tourism businesses from across Canada who applied for funding of up to $25,000 from a $10 million investment from the Government of Canada through its Indigenous Tourism Fund Micro and Small Business Stream. “Applications are being assessed on a first-come-first-serve basis and each round represents eligible applications that were received and processed first. As we announce the second round of funding for the Indigenous Tourism Fund Micro and Small Business Stream, we reaffirm our commitment to empowering entrepreneurs and their communities, driving sustainable economic growth, and sharing our cultures and stories through tourism. Together, we continue to pave the way for the growth of authentic Indigenous tourism experiences and help make Canada the leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030.” – Keith Henry, President and CEO, ITAC “Indigenous tourism has the power to create opportunities, transform Canadian tourism and advance reconciliation. That’s why helping it grow and thrive is one of our top priorities. Through this Indigenous-led process, we are supporting communities in making their own decisions and developing tourism at their own pace. I look forward to seeing the difference that these projects will make across Turtle Island.” – The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Read more - https://lnkd.in/g-X4miBg #DestinationIndigenous #TheOriginalOriginal #IndigenousTourism #IndigenousTourismTeamCanada

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has released its 2024-25 Action Plan. The plan outlines ITAC’s vision for continuing to grow the Indigenous tourism industry to peak 2019 levels of $1.9 billion contribution to Canada’s GDP and 39,000 employed in the industry. The plan also provides further insight into the ambitious plan for Canada to become the global leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030 with an estimated contribution of $6 billion in GDP annually. “In this time of unparalleled domestic and global visitor expectations, there is an important opportunity to advance our mission of promoting and supporting Indigenous tourism in Canada,” shares Keith Henry, President & CEO of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada. “In ITAC’s 2024-25 Action Plan, we outline our dedication to new initiatives, including the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund, to attract new investments and for the sustainability of Indigenous tourism from coast to coast to coast.” Read more - https://lnkd.in/gibKKC_U #DestinationIndigenous #TheOriginalOriginal #IndigenousTourism #ActionPlan #IndigenousTourismTeamCanada

Government of Canada🇨🇦 launches new Tourism Growth Program With $108 million in federal funding, this program will invest in Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small businesses, and not-for-profits, helping them grow and positioning Canada as a destination of choice. Canada’s seven regional development agencies will deliver the program’s funding directly to businesses and other organizations over the next three years, supporting projects to help more domestic and international visitors discover all that Canada has to offer. The projects will also align with the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy—supporting sustainable tourism, outdoor experiences, Indigenous tourism, seasonal expansion, and tourism in rural and remote areas—with the goal of diversifying regional economies and spurring economic growth. Promoting Indigenous tourism is an important part of the Tourism Growth Program, with 15% of funds reserved for it. The Tourism Growth Program is one of the many ways in which the Government of Canada is helping the tourism industry to grow and thrive. Last week, Canada announced the launch of the Indigenous Tourism Fund’s Micro and Small Business Stream, which will provide $10 million in direct support for Indigenous tourism operators. Additional supports for the industry include the $500 million Tourism Relief Fund established during the pandemic, increases in funding to Destination Canada, support for major international events like the 2026 FIFA World Cup, investments in the Trans Canada Trail, and partnerships with other governments and the private sector to help enhance tourism offerings and welcome more visitors to our country. ➡️ Press Release https://lnkd.in/g-VAu5BY ➡️ Tourism Growth Program https://lnkd.in/gGdK5sTa ➡️ New Federal Tourism Growth Strategy https://lnkd.in/gKWwujeF #tourismindustry #economicdevelopment #tourismdevelopment #canada #indigenoustourism

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) is pleased to welcome 1,332 members to its association as of March 31, 2024. ITAC proudly represents Indigenous-owned and controlled tourism businesses from across the country, including visitor ready, business ready, and export ready—all of which are market ready. The 2024-25 membership program has seen a 29% membership growth. This is a record-setting year and continues to drive the association’s ultimate goal of returning Indigenous tourism to the peaks of GDP and employment seen in 2019. ITAC is actively working every day towards $1.9 billion of direct GDP contributions, 1,900 Indigenous tourism businesses, and more than 39,000 Indigenous tourism employees by 2030. ITAC will remain at the forefront as it strives to become the global leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030. Read more - https://lnkd.in/eD2WnpnC #Membership #DestinationIndigenous #TheOriginalOriginal #IndigenousTourism #IndigenousTourismTeamCanada

The third funding round is being released to 41 Indigenous tourism businesses from across Canada who applied for up to $25,000 from a $10 million investment from the Government of Canada through its Indigenous Tourism Fund Micro and Small Business Stream. Today, the Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec, announced the third group of businesses to benefit from the MSBS. In this round, $1.01 million in federal funding, administered by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), has been awarded to 41 Indigenous tourism businesses from across Canada. “Indigenous tourism is a powerful driver of economic growth and a vital part of our national identity, and that’s why helping it grow and thrive is one of our top priorities. By supporting Indigenous-led tourism initiatives, we are supporting communities in making their own decisions and developing tourism at their own pace, while promoting cultural preservation and economic reconciliation. This latest round of funding demonstrates our ongoing commitment to empowering Indigenous communities and enhancing tourism offerings in Canada.” – The Honourable Soraya Martinez Ferrada, Minister of Tourism and Minister responsible for the Economic Development Agency of Canada for the Regions of Quebec Read the full press release - https://lnkd.in/ghKzy3zV #DestinationIndigenous #IndigenousTourism #TheOriginalOriginal

🚨 Tourism Growth Program Application window closing - February 29th 2024 🚨 https://lnkd.in/e6mTDUVe The Tourism Growth Program (TGP) is a key element of the new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which builds on Canada's inherent strengths and unique qualities while using a whole-of-government approach to realize the full potential of the tourism industry. The Federal Government of Canada 🍁 through the Department of Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada and the seven #RegionalDevelopmentAgencies will work in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments and tourism partners to ensure the program is complementary to other supports for the tourism industry, helps to diversify regional economies and contributes to Canada’s economic growth. The program will support Indigenous and non-Indigenous communities, small and medium-sized businesses and not-for-profit organizations in developing local, community-level tourism products and experiences to help more domestic and international visitors discover all that Canada has to offer. Click to attached link for your regional development agency's web page to learn more about the funding available. #DestinationCanada #CanadianTourism 🍁

A key takeaway from IMPACT is that Indigenous-led tourism IS regenerative tourism. We’re currently looking at ways IMPACT can support the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), and we encourage you to sign up for the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund. The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) has launched the Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund (ITDF) to accelerate the growth of Indigenous tourism in Canada, aligning with the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy. With a goal of raising $2.6 billion, the fund aims to support infrastructure, human resources, business development, and marketing, ultimately aiming to achieve targets of 2,700 Indigenous-owned businesses, 60,000 jobs, and $6 billion in contributions to Canada’s GDP by 2030. Partnering with ITAC and contributing to the ITDF enables businesses to support Indigenous economic development and gain recognition as a force for positive change. Learn more and become a partner today - https://lnkd.in/gXMGUzBe Destination Greater Victoria tartanbond Synergy Enterprises Destination Canada Destination British Columbia #IMPACTnational #IMPACT2024 #indigenoustourism #regenerativetourism

The growth of the Indigenous tourism industry can add $6 billion to Canada’s GDP and bring countless more tangible and intangible benefits to Indigenous communities. This vision holds the promise of nurturing more resilient communities and enhancing cultural preservation. And yet, as in other sectors, Indigenous tourism entrepreneurs and workers are often left out of wider plans for industry growth. A new op-ed by Keith Henry, President and CEO at Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and Deneen Allen, CEO of The Firecircle, points out that the 2023 Federal Tourism Growth Strategy has no new tangible investments in Indigenous tourism, despite the global interest and potential of the industry. On top of that, Indigenous communities also require more entrepreneurship support, funding, training, and improvements in basic necessities and infrastructure like transport to facilitate the growth of the industry. Can Canada step up to the plate and seize the Indigenous tourism opportunity? Investing in Indigenous tourism is not just an economic strategy but a step towards fulfilling the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action. Learn more about this rising sector: https://lnkd.in/en6nstKu #IndigenousTourism #EconomicGrowth #IndigenousEconomy #CanadaTourism

Uncover the economic renaissance set in motion by Canada's $108 million Tourism Growth Program, as outlined in Budget 2023. Explore the strategic initiatives shaping a vibrant future for Canadian tourism and global engagement. #TourismRenaissance #Budget2023 #EconomicDevelopment #GlobalEngagement #CanadianTourism #StrategicInitiatives #SustainableFuture #TravelInnovation #ExploreCanada #TourismEconomy #TIAO #hozpitality https://lnkd.in/dckWEYzj

Uncover the economic renaissance set in motion by Canada's $108 million Tourism Growth Program, as outlined in Budget 2023. Explore the strategic initiatives shaping a vibrant future for Canadian tourism and global engagement. #TourismRenaissance #Budget2023 #EconomicDevelopment #GlobalEngagement #CanadianTourism #StrategicInitiatives #SustainableFuture #TravelInnovation #ExploreCanada #TourismEconomy #TIAO #hozpitality https://lnkd.in/dPhMjuF4