PARTNERS IN GROWING INDIGENOUS TOURISM
The Indigenous Tourism Destination Fund (ITDF) offers an innovative way for Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses to partner with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to grow the Indigenous tourism industry from coast to coast to coast. With a fund goal of $2.6 billion, the ITDF will facilitate investments in infrastructure, human resources and transportation as well as business development and marketing.
2030 Industry Targets
ITAC’s vision for 2030 is for the Indigenous tourism industry to contribute $6 billion annually to Canada’s gross domestic product (GDP) — making Canada the world leader in Indigenous tourism. To make that vision a reality, the Indigenous tourism industry needs to grow substantially in both the number of businesses and the number of industry employees.
2,700 Indigenous owned and operated tourism businesses (up from 1,900 in 2019)
60,000 jobs in Indigenous tourism (up from 39,000 in 2019)
$6 billion in contributions to Canada’s GDP (up from $1.9 billion in 2019)
Supporting Reconciliation
By contributing to the ITDF, partner businesses are supporting progress towards the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Call to Action #92 — building respectful relationships and ensuring that Indigenous communities gain long-term economic benefits from activities taking place on their lands or using their resources.
We have described for you a mountain. We have shown you the path to the top. We call upon you to do the climbing.
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— The Honourable Murray Sinclair
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Supporting the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy
Indigenous tourism is an effective way for Indigenous communities to diversify their economies for present and future generations. It is also a key component of the Canadian government’s new Federal Tourism Growth Strategy, which is designed to grow tourism in Canada by 40%. The Indigenous Tourism Development Fund has been created to support meeting this ambitious target.
Flexible Contribution Models
Partners can contribute to the ITDF in a number of ways. This flexibility allows partners to select a contribution model that works best with their particular way of doing business. Whether percentage based or a flat fee, the contribution cost is passed to the end consumer.
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Transparent Reporting
A reporting mechanism tracks and accounts for all contributions to the Indigenous Tourism Development Fund. Reports are generated twice per year and are available publicly, providing peace of mind that all contributions are supporting the growth of Indigenous tourism.
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Real World Impacts
Contributions are used to fund infrastructure, development and marketing priorities. Distributed across the country, contributions have an immediate positive impact in Indigenous communities through employment, destination development and business support and promotion activities.
Public Recognition
ITDF partners will be granted use of the official partnership mark. The mark can be displayed on websites and in other promotional materials, identifying partners as a force for good in the eyes of their customers.
Become a Partner Today
Start making a tangible contribution to the journey towards reconciliation in Canada by partnering with ITAC and contributing to the ITDF. The team at ITAC can explain the application process and the mechanisms in place for contributions, reporting and recognition.