Xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) and səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH), VANCOUVER — The 2024-2025 federal budget has dedicated $2.5 to Indigenous tourism, thanks in part to the advocacy work of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC).
“We’re pleased with the allocation of dedicated funds to ITAC in budget 2024, signaling government confidence in ITAC and backing of a national coordinated Indigenous tourism strategy,” says Keith Henry, president and CEO of ITAC. “This is a great first step, and we hope to see continued and long-term stability for the Indigenous-tourism sector.” ITAC will continue to advocate for more stable long-term funding that will help the continued growth of this fast-growing sector.
Under ITAC’s 2024-2025 Action Plan, the organization has ambitious goals to make Canada the world’s leader in Indigenous tourism by 2030. Moreover, the 2024-2025 Action Plan highlights key priorities, including infrastructure and destination development, building a sustainable tourism workforce, and business development and promotion. With the appropriate funding, ITAC aims to add 800 new Indigenous-tourism businesses (currently there are 1,900); add 21,000 new Indigenous-tourism jobs (currently there are 39,000 employees); and contribute $6 billion to Canada’s GDP (currently $1.9 billion).
Most significantly, Indigenous tourism contributed to $1.9 billion annually to Canada’s GDP in 2019; $1.1 billion in wages and salaries; $800 million in tax revenues to all three levels of government in Canada in 2024; $3.7 billion in revenues; employing more than 39,000 workers; and supporting more than 1,900 Indigenous businesses across Canada.
“It took years of strategic thinking, coordination and advocacy for our industry to make it the success it is today,” says Henry. “We know this industry has so much more potential and opportunity to make an impact on both Indigenous communities and Canada’s economy. Indigenous tourism is a path to reconciliation, and with the right investment and long-term vision, Canada is poised to become the world leader by 2030.”
