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Market-Ready Tourism Businesses
Join a diverse and growing community within the tourism ecosystem. ITBC welcomes your business to connect with community, resources, and support.
Market-ready businesses are dependable, responsive, and consistent—key traits partners and visitors can count on. They maintain up-to-date information, communicate efficiently year-round, and have an existing digital presence. Being market-ready means showing up online, in person, and in every interaction.
As a Stakeholder with Indigenous Tourism BC, you gain more than just access to services—you join a community. A community working together to grow Indigenous tourism in a way that is authentic, sustainable, and deeply grounded in Indigenous values and voices.
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ITBC supports your brand’s visibility and reach through targeted marketing and promotional opportunities. Stakeholders are eligible for inclusion on ITBC’s consumer website, ensuring your tourism offering is discoverable by both local and international audiences. You may also be featured in digital content projects—including image and video productions—enhancing the quality and appeal of your brand story.
Stakeholders may participate in ITBC’s consumer marketing campaigns and be considered for media opportunities and Familiarization (FAM) tours, which offer invaluable exposure to travel media, influencers, and potential buyers. Moreover, ITBC represents stakeholders at international trade shows and sales missions, ensuring a global platform for Indigenous tourism experiences rooted in authenticity.
All market-ready businesses are automatically awarded the Indigenous-owned Designation, and have the opportunity to apply for the Authentic Indigenous Designation.
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ITBC provides stakeholders with the tools, resources, and guidance necessary to grow and elevate their tourism experiences. This includes access to training opportunities tailored to capacity building, as well as business development tools and resources designed to help navigate the evolving tourism economy.
Stakeholders benefit from business development pathfinding, including advisory support, expert guidance, and advocacy that respects cultural values and economic aspirations. Finally, stakeholders are regularly made aware of funding opportunities to support growth, innovation, and resilience within their businesses and communities.
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ITBC facilitates connection and collaboration through strategic partnerships and initiatives. Stakeholders benefit from network expansion, gaining opportunities to build relationships with fellow Indigenous operators, non-Indigenous tourism organizations, and other partners across the sector. Through special project collaborations, ITBC also enables stakeholders to participate in unique content, training, or market development efforts that align with community goals.
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Through our commitment to strong governance and member participation, stakeholders are empowered to influence the future of Indigenous tourism in BC. Benefits include the right to vote and nominate candidates for ITBC’s Board of Directors, ensuring community voices shape organizational direction. Stakeholders are also invited to Annual General Meetings (AGMs), where they can contribute to strategic discussions, access important updates, and celebrate collective achievements.
To help stakeholders make informed decisions, ITBC shares email updates and an optional newsletter, offering timely insights, opportunities, and news. Access to industry research further supports evidence-based planning and innovation.
Eligibility
Indigenous owned tourism businesses in British Columbia are welcome to apply to be a Stakeholder with Indigenous Tourism BC. Tourism businesses fall within 3 categories: visitor-ready, market-ready, and export-ready, depending on their operational capacity. The application is the same for all businesses, but the eligibility and benefits differ to match the needs of businesses of different sizes..
Eligible market-ready tourism businesses are Tier 3 Stakeholders with ITBC and meet the following criteria:
- Offer a tourism experience in B.C.
- 51% or more Indigenous-ownership.
- In good standing with all applicable business licenses, insurance, and legislative requirements.
- Have branded on-site signage.
- Has been operating in a safe and professional manner for at least one year
- Carries adequate insurance totaling no less than 2 million in liability
- Accepts credit cards and debit cards as means of payment
- Have an operational and up-to-date website.
- Have designated parking in proximity.
- Maintaining a staffed business location with a set schedule of operating hours.
- Provide a contact telephone number or email year-round. If the office is closed for the season, provide an automated response through voicemail and email.
- During operating season, maintain a 24-48-hour response time or less to inquiries and a 24—hour response time to reservation/booking requests.
- Prepared to communicate and accept reservations by telephone and e-mail.
- Provide same-day confirmation of booking arrangements.
- Have frontline staff who are trained in customer service.
Indigenous-Owned Tourism Business Application