In 2019, the Conference Board of Canada published an eye-opening report titled Canada’s Indigenous Tourism Sector: Insights and Economic Impacts.
This report was commissioned by the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC) to “profile and assess the economic impact of Canada’s Indigenous tourism sector.” According to the report preface:
The report delivers an updated direct economic footprint of the Indigenous tourism sector in 2017, including GDP, employment, and business growth. In addition, the report provides strategic insights from a 2018 survey of Indigenous businesses that participate in the Indigenous tourism sector in Canada.
The report states that the Indigenous tourism industry has an increasingly important impact on Canada’s economy:
- At least 1,875 Indigenous businesses participate in Canada’s Indigenous tourism sector, and more than
39,000 people work in the sector’s associated industries. - Their combined direct economic footprint in 2017 is estimated to exceed $1.7 billion in gross domestic
product (GDP).
To find out more, read the full report here.