Travelsmart
Today, the Tourism Industry Association of Canada (TIAC) and Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada (ATAC) signed a strategic partnership agreement to strengthen the relationship between both national tourism organizations. This agreement provides a unique opportunity for strategic alignment and collaboration between the two organizations to bolster the representation of indigenous tourism product in Canada and help promote continued tourism growth overall.
Among other things, through this agreement ATAC will be recognized as a TIAC Industry Patron increasing exposure of the important work being done to promote aboriginal tourism in Canada. TIAC will also promote and publish information and research conducted by ATAC about aboriginal tourism in Canada through its e-Newsletter and website. This agreement also provides a special introductory membership fee to members of ATAC who have never been members of TIAC.
“Aboriginal tourism experiences are growing in demand in a market where travellers are increasingly looking for truly authentic experiences”, stated Charlotte Bell, President & CEO of TIAC, “Keith and the Aboriginal Tourism Association of Canada have been doing tremendous work to ensure authenticity and growth in this market. We are honoured and excited to be strengthening our partnership with ATAC through this agreement.”
“We are thrilled to be partnering with TIAC,” Keith Henry, ATAC President & CEO concurred. “Our respective organizations have much to gain from working more closely together. The Federal Government has supported an Aboriginal Tourism Strategy in its latest budget and concurrent with our 5-year plan to significantly grow Aboriginal tourism in Canada by 2021, we embrace the opportunity for TIAC support and collaboration in helping us meet our goals.”
“Congratulations to both TIAC and ATAC on this important partnership,” said the Honourable Bardish Chagger, Minister of Small Business and Tourism and Leader of the Government in the House of Commons. “Supporting Canada’s tourism sector, and indigenous tourism especially, is a priority for our government. I look forward to working with both Charlotte and Keith to grow our industry, and create good jobs across Canada.”
Tourism is a $91.6 billion industry in Canada, with 1.6 million Canadian jobs dependent on economic activity generated by travel and tourism. The Aboriginal tourism industry in Canada employs more than 33,000 people and produces $1.4 billion of Canada’s annual GDP.
You can read more of the news on source
