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WHY INDIGNEOUS TOURISM MATTERS | TOURISM WEEK 2020

Why Indigenous Tourism Matters | Tourism Week 2020

Posted on May 25, 2020

It’s Tourism Week 2020 | Sunday May 26 to Sunday May 31, 2020

Tourism Week has always been a time to celebrate tourism and acknowledge its’ positive impact socially, culturally, economically and environmentally. This year, as we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic, it is now more important than ever to showcase Why Indigenous Tourism Matters.

Please Share With Us

During Tourism Week, Indigenous Tourism BC, in partnership with the Province of BC, Destination BC, Tourism Industry Association of BC and go2Hr invite you to share online why tourism matters to you. We will share, in the hopes that you will share as well.

We will focus on the following themes, and hope you will join us:

  • How Indigenous Tourism Businesses are Helping our Communities through COVID-19
  • Showcasing Virtual Indigenous Cultural Tourism Experiences
  • Sharing Training Opportunities for the Indigenous Tourism Industry
  • Demonstrating the value of the Indigenous Tourism Industry

How It Works

This is an opportunity for all of us to share the significance and contribution of the Indigenous tourism industry. Please hashtag #IndigenousTourismMatters and #BCTourismMatters. We will find it and share on our channels.

On Twitter you can tag us at @ITBC_Corporate or LinkedIn Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC).

Play Why Indigenous Tourism Matters

business leadership and innovation during the covid-19 global pandemic

During Tourism Week 2020, Indigenous Tourism BC is highlighting some of those businesses that have demonstrated leadership and innovation during the COVID-19 global pandemic.  Their story as a business-owner to continue sharing what they offer is inspirational, and their commitment to support their staff, customers and community during these times is truly uplifting for all of BC.

Iskwew Air

Teara Fraser’s heart leaped the first time she took flight in a small passenger plane during a trip to Africa. Mere months later, she completed her first solo flight in Canada – and, within a year, she earned her commercial pilot’s licence. Iskwew Air, a 100% Indigenous female-owned business celebrates matriarchal leadership and champions women in aviation. Iskwew Air pivoted from consumer air travel to transporting essential services and supplies to hard-to-reach communities, prioritizing support of Indigenous ventures along the way.
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Kekuli Cafe

A family business founded by Sharon Bond of the Nooaitch Indian Band in Nlaka’pamux Territory, and her partner Darren Hogg, Kekuli Café operates in Westbank and Merritt, BC with a third location opening soon in Kamloops. Despite COVID-19’s devastating impact on the restaurant industry, Sharon and Darren stood their ground and adjusted their business model so they could remain open while keeping the community safe.
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Quaaout Lodge

Situated in Skwlax territory just outside of Kamloops, BC, Quaaout Lodge & Spa has achieved global acclaim for offering an impeccable cultural experience, intuitive service, luxurious amenities and stunning surroundings of snowcapped mountains, sandy beaches and sparkling Shuswap Lake. Featuring the breathtaking Talking Rock Golf, and authentic interpretive areas like the kekuli and sweat lodge, the resort speedily pivoted to support local farmers and growers when the pandemic’s devastating effects reached BC.
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Talasay Tours

Refusing to allow the global pandemic to prevent the world from learning about Indigenous cultures and traditions, Talaysay Tours has spent the last few months offering virtual Zoom excursions that replicate its popular outdoor walking tours. Interest has remained steady, suggesting that cultural exploration and connection to nature play an important role in managing stress and maintaining wellness. Talaysay Tours’ reduced staff have been working overtime to keep up with consumer demand, and are happily adapting to the central role technology now plays in day-today business.
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Squamish Lil'wat Cultural Centre

Anticipating the community’s need for at-home entertainment and activity during quarantine, the Squamish Lil’wat Cultural Centre launched live online craft demonstrations. The virtual program was born out of a desire to continue sharing Indigenous cultures with the world, despite physical doors remaining closed. Each week, engaging segments feature anecdotes about the spotlighted cultural activity. By offering a regular online program, the business is building relationships with future visitors. Cultural demonstrations take place every Friday at 11am (PST) on Facebook Live.
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Indigenous World Winery

BC’s first 100% Indigenous-owned winery, Indigenous World Winery is a passionate project of former Westbank First Nations Chief Robert Louie and his wife, Bernice, who celebrate traditional Syilx culture and the bounty of the Okanagan in a 2.5-acre vineyard overlooking Lake Okanagan. The business has remained open throughout the pandemic for wine shop sales and now, with travel opening across BC, the winery is shifting towards new practices and policies to ensure the safety and well-being of their visitors.
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Explore Indigenous Tourism Virtually

During BC Tourism Week, we celebrate the resilience of Indigenous tourism businesses who have turned to technology to share their knowledge through virtual tours and vacations and inspire future travel during the BC travel restrictions.

Explore virtually and learn why Indigenous tourism matters on the Indigenous Tourism BC consumer website.

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Indigenous Tourism Helping During COVID-19

Since the world locked down, the needs of Indigenous communities are complex and unique. Air LIFT is a collaboration between Iskwew Air and the Indigenous LIFT Collective created to fly essential services and supplies to Indigenous communities in BC.

Iskwew Air is the first Indigenous woman owned airline, and is committed to supporting Indigenous communities by transporting essential products and services, including products from other indigenous-owned businesses.

Let’s LIFT together. Anyone can support this initiative by donating to the AirLIFT fundraiser.

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a story of epic proportions

Indigenous communities are a part of a growing industry. Although we will feel the impact of COVID-19 for a long time, we still celebrate the growth and prosperity we have seen over the years. Tourism supports a diversified economy and creates a strong connection to the land, to the culture, to the community and to our neighbors.

The information and statistics below are from Destination BC and the Indigenous Tourism BC “The Next Phase” Tourism Performance Audit Report 2012‐2017, March 2018 by O’Neil Marketing & Consulting

In 2017, the BC Tourism Industry generated 18.4 billion dollars
There were 19,243 tourism-related businesses in operation in BC in 2017.
In BC, we had 137,800 tourism-related jobs in 2016.
The tourism export revenue in 2017 was $5.4 billion dollars in BC, and there was a 7.1% growth since 2016.
In 2016, the tourism export revenue was higher than mineral, agricultural and fish primary industries, but lower than energy and forestry industries.
In 2017, one in three visitors were interested in an Indigenous experience when travelling within BC.
In 2017, there were 401 Indigenous tourism businesses, a 33% increase since 2016.
In 2017, Indigenous businesses generated $705 million dollars in GDP in BC.

Tourism week in bc

Learn how provincial tourism partners in BC are celebrating Tourism Week 2020.

BC Tourism Partners

Tourism Week is celebrated across the province and Canada to share the value of tourism. Read the letter from our major tourism partners in BC about how we are celebrating Tourism Week this year.
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Destination BC

Tourism Week is a national, grassroots initiative that brings attention to the importance of travel and tourism to Canada, and British Columbia. Visit Destination BC for industry resources and information about the value of tourism in BC.
Learn More

Indigenous Tourism BC

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©2020 Indigenous Tourism Association of BC. All Rights Reserved.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of British Columbia is a non-profit, membership-based organization that is committed to growing and promoting a sustainable, culturally rich Indigenous tourism industry.