“Transformative travel,” a buzzwords of recent years is about people searching for ways to unplug and reconnect with friends, nature, and life. Talk to Indigenous tourism operators, however, and you may find them wondering why it has taken the rest of the world so long to catch on.

For Keith Henry, ITAC president and CEO, Indigenous tourism is not only important for how it changes the perspectives of individual travellers, but also for the part it can play in the healing of divisions within Canada. “We often talk about reconciliation in Canada,” Henry says. “And this process has to include the country’s Indigenous communities—First Nations, Inuit, and Métis. Indigenous tourism is one of the best ways I know of preserving cultures while introducing them to those who want to learn more about them.”

With the increasing interest in Indigenous tourism, Canada stands out. ITAC launched an Indigenous Experience website, profiling travel experiences throughout Canada and has an established membership process that enables Indigenous tourism industry partners to engage with and show support for Indigenous tourism.

Wanuskewin Heritage Park Experience, Saskatoon Saskatchewan