CATO Expresses Strong Support for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada

The Canadian Association of Tour Operators (CATO) has expressed its support for the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) and underscored the importance of sustained and stable funding for the organization and its initiatives.

“Over the years, ITAC has played a critical role in advancing Indigenous tourism across Canada, fostering meaningful economic opportunities for Indigenous communities while enriching the Canadian tourism experience through authentic cultural engagement and reconciliation in action,” said CATO Executive Director Jean Hébert.

Many CATO member tour operators have worked closely with ITAC for several years to help develop and promote tourism experiences and tour packages in partnership with Indigenous communities across the country and abroad, Hébert said.

“These collaborations have not only created unique, high-quality travel products for domestic and international visitors but also contributed directly to local employment, entrepreneurship, cultural preservation, and regional economic development.

CATO says the progress achieved in Indigenous tourism over the past decade has required significant trust-building, partnership development, training, product development, and international market positioning. 

“Interruptions or uncertainty in funding risk undermining these important gains at a time when Indigenous tourism continues to demonstrate strong growth potential and growing demand from travellers seeking authentic and responsible travel experiences,” Hébert added.

Earlier this week, Indigenous Tourism Alberta (ITA) and Travel Alberta inked a renewed four-year partnership that the parties say marks a bold next chapter for Indigenous tourism in Alberta.

The largest of its kind in Canada, the partnership represents an $8.2 million investment in Indigenous tourism over the next four years. 

CATO is calling for similar support for indigenous tourism on a national scale.

“As Canada positions itself as a world leader in sustainable and inclusive tourism, ITAC is a key national partner in achieving these goals. Continued federal support for ITAC is therefore not only an investment in tourism, but also in economic reconciliation, cultural preservation, and community development,” Hébert concluded.