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  • Friends of ITBC

    Advancing a shared and sustainable future for Indigenous tourism. 

Bridging the Gap

 

The Friends of ITBC Program aims to build a shared and sustainable future for Indigenous tourism. It promotes a model for economic well-being based on abundance and reciprocity, and for personal well-being by prioritizing relationships and interconnected systems. 

Small actions grow to become big shifts in the world. The Friends of ITBC program encourages the tourism industry to bridge the gap between the present and our shared future. Strong relationships will build a prosperous economy for all. With an interconnected ecosystem, all can benefit from shared successes. 

  • Culinary and Cultural Connections

    Vancouver Farmers Market

    Through June 2025, four Indigenous vendors — Big City Bannock, Cedar Hot Sauce, Hype Chocolate, and Ravensong Soap — found success at the downtown Vancouver Farmers Market. Land acknowledgments and opening protocol brought cultural activations to the everyday public space.  

  • Equitable Access to Tourism Infrastructure  

    DVAN & DGV

    Destination Vancouver and Destination Greater Victoria have each established reciprocal membership agreements with Indigenous Tourism BC, granting complimentary membership to ITBC member businesses.  This removes barriers to entry that have systematically excluded Indigenous-owned businesses from tourism infrastructure.  

    Seaplane on water

  • Hospitality Opening Doors for Survivors

    Sheraton Wall Centre

    On a day of remembrance for residential school survivors and their families, the Sheraton chose to open their doors. For Orange Shirt Day 2025, the Sheraton Wall Centre provided in-kind accommodations for the Indian Residential School Survivors Society to attend the BC Lions Orange Shirt Day game. That is hospitality in the fullest sense of the word. 

  • Digital Learning Scholarships

    eLearningU

    Business owners and entrepreneurs received complimentary access to the Tourism Digital Marketing Essentials and Sustainable Tourism courses through eLearningU.  These certificate courses built skills and confidence to enhance digital guest experiences and promote sustainable travel. Unlocking new opportunities and inspiring a love for learning.

Get involved

Connect

Partner with ITBC

Build long-term alignment through special projects and collaborations.

Become a Donor

Monetary contributions enable currently unfunded projects to flourish and build a foundation for the future.

Provide In-Kind Support

Gift time, expertise, infrastructure, access, goods, services, space or other in-kind support to Indigenous tourism operators, Nations and local economies.