Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Sector: Insights and Economic Impacts, commissioned by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), provides a profile and economic impact assessment of the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada. Our findings indicate that at least 1,875 entrepreneurs and organizations participate in Canada’s Indigenous tourism sector. In addition, over 39,000 people work in the sector’s associated industries. Their direct economic footprint in 2017 is estimated to exceed $1. billion in gross domestic product (GDP).

The economic impact assessment highlights key drivers of GDP, such as majority Indigenous-owned air transportation and resort casinos. But our research also profiles the diverse groups operating in the Indigenous tourism sector, including community-owned ventures, not-for-profits, and a range of sole proprietors, to understand their business characteristics, markets, and investment priorities. Key strategic insights were also gathered from leading operators whose presence and voice define many of the authentic Indigenous cultural experiences available to tourists in Canada.

Executive Summary

Chapter 1—Background

Chapter 2—Profile of Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Sector

• Defining the Indigenous Tourism Sector
• Business Structure
• Market Readiness

Chapter 3—Direct Economic Impact of Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Sector

• Quantifying Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Sector in 2017
• Comparing the Direct Economic Footprint of Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Sector in 2017 to the Previous 2014 Estimates
• Comparing the Progress of Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Sector to Overall Tourism Activity in Canada

Chapter 4—Insights From Operators

• Issues and Challenges for Growth
  
• Developing and Marketing Authentic Cultural Experiences
  
• Calls for Regional Tourism Strategies

Chapter 5—Conclusion

Appendix A—Bibliography

Appendix B—Mapping of Industry Groups to Indigenous Tourism Sector Domains

Appendix C—Detailed Direct Economic Impact Results