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As part of the plan to help the tourism sector recover, the Government of Alberta and Travel Alberta are embarking on a new partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta to create new, authentic Indigenous tourism experiences and product across the province.
Over the next three years, Travel Alberta and Indigenous Tourism Alberta will be working together to support Indigenous entrepreneurs and businesses impacted by the pandemic. The sector will play a key role in Alberta’s economic rebuild.
Our partnership with Indigenous Tourism Alberta to create new, authentic Indigenous tourism experiences across the province is one of the more significant initiatives we will be rolling out over the next three years to rebuild Alberta’s visitor economy. It represents one of the largest investments in Indigenous tourism in Canada and is an important part of reconciliation. It will be especially critical as we return to promoting Alberta to international markets. International visitors are big fans of authentic culture as part of the experiences they engage in when they are here.
For more information, read today’s news release and view a video, where you will hear more from the Government of Alberta, Indigenous tourism leaders and Travel Alberta about the importance of this partnership.
Pre-COVID, Indigenous tourism was one of Canada’s and Alberta’s largest and fastest growing tourism niche sectors. Alberta saw a 75 per cent increase in gross domestic product (GDP) over a three-year period to $166.2 million in 2017 – making Alberta third in Canada for total GDP and third highest in overall growth.
Before the pandemic, Indigenous tourism was one of Canada' and Alberta' largest and fastest growing tourism niche sectors, employing over 39,000 people and contributing $1.7 billion in direct economic impact.Beyond economics, Indigenous tourism has the
Alberta’s first Métis cultural interpretive centre was built on the original river lots of Métis settlers, one of three recognized Indigenous peoples in Canada.
Take a walk through a meadow or a forest with Brenda Holder or one of the other Indigenous guides with Mahikan Trails and you will learn to identify plants that are used in traditional medicines.