Indigenous tourism conference coming to Winnipeg

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This article was published 07/03/2023 (1304 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

The world’s largest Indigenous tourism conference is Winnipeg-bound.

At least 1,000 people are set to gather at the RBC Convention Centre in a sold-out event Wednesday through Friday.

“The future of tourism in this country includes and is Indigenous tourism,” said Teresa Ryder, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada’s director of partnerships.

Roughly 90 per cent of attendees will be Canadian. The rest come from the United States, Australia and New Zealand.

Manitoba’s own Murray Sinclair will be among the keynote figures; he’ll speak on the parallels between Indigenous tourism and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s Calls to Action.

Another keynote hails from New Zealand — the head of Mãori tourism.

“Mãori people have engrained themselves into brand New Zealand,” Ryder said, adding that Canada can “continue to do better” on promoting Indigenous tourism.

The Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada hasn’t hosted its international event since 2019. Winnipeg is this year’s destination because of a partnership with Travel Manitoba, Ryder said.

The $1,100 conference ticket includes a Manitoba attraction of each guest’s choosing, like bannock making at Feast Cafe Bistro or soapstone carving.

“Tourism has the potential to really aid in reconciliation efforts,” said Linda Whitfield, Travel Manitoba’s vice-president of communications.

Tourism hits on three Truth and Reconciliation Commission Calls to Action, including No. 92, which calls for corporate participation.

“(Visitors) want to know that they’re not just being given a tourist experience,” Whitfield said. “They want to learn about Indigenous culture, they want to learn about beliefs.

“We have to make sure… that Indigenous tourism is being delivered by Indigenous people, and that they’re benefitting.”

The number of market-ready Indigenous tourism businesses in the province has been steadily increasing, according to a 2021 report by Indigenous Tourism Manitoba (ITM).

In December of 2019, ITM considered 23 Indigenous tourism groups market ready.

By the following November, the number had jumped to 34.

Before the pandemic, Canada’s Indigenous tourism industry generated around $1.9 billion in gross domestic product and accounted for 40,000 jobs, Ryder said.

The sector was expected to lose more than half of those jobs in 2020, according to a Manitoba Indigenous Tourism Strategy report.

“There’s still some recovery to happen, but… we’re well on that path,” Ryder said.

Tourism operators, government officials and others in the industry make up conference attendees. Sessions at the event cover marketing, business development and reconciliation.

gabrielle.piche@winnipegfreepress.com