Respectful Growth of Indigenous Tourism
Pacific Rim National Park - Destination BC/JF Bergeron
Respectful Growth of Indigenous Tourism
Strengthening Destination BC’s relationships with Indigenous communities, and facilitating collaboration and connection between Indigenous peoples and non-Indigenous peoples throughout our programs and services.
Totems at SGang Gwaay Llanagaay, Gwaii Haanas National Park Reserve and Haida Heritage Site, Haida Gwaii
The Journey
We know that communities, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous, are at the core of tourism. We recognize and respect their authority to decide what role the visitor economy plays in their communities. Each place has unique peoples, cultures, and customs, and communities will determine how and when their stories are shared. For Indigenous communities, this may be through the voices of their elders, their own organizations and platforms, or through approved non-Indigenous led organizations.
Destination BC is committed to increasing inclusiveness and raising awareness of the diversity of Indigenous cultures and communities in BC. We’ve also made commitments to work together to support the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and Action Plan. And we’ve also made commitments to work with Indigenous Tourism BC to help grow Indigenous tourism experiences, and support Indigenous tourism businesses and economic opportunities, in BC. Since its inception over 25 years ago, the long-standing relationship between Indigenous Tourism BC and Destination BC has continued to flourish, informing a leading and collaborative partnership that we look forward to building on in support of tourism in BC.
Our Commitments
This strategic lever is focussed on our responsibility and commitment to the BC Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and Action Plan, and our desire to better support Indigenous communities and businesses engaged in tourism.
Further, we have a shared commitment with Indigenous Tourism BC to create a unified tourism industry in BC—one that enriches the experiences and connections that tourism provides, and that respects and provides benefits for Indigenous Peoples, cultures, and lands, for generations to come.
This commitment is to continue to grow Indigenous tourism in BC and ensure Indigenous Peoples are determining and leading the future of tourism for their communities. We believe it is an important foundation to the industry’s ability to succeed and compete in the future.
In addition to these commitments, we are available to build our own relationships with First Nations communities that are already active in tourism, if, when and how they desire.
We heard from the industry, in particular Community DMOs and visitor services, that they are looking to us to help assist them and non-Indigenous identifying businesses in increasing their awareness and understanding of working with Indigenous Peoples.
Indigenous History, Culture & Experiences
Indigenous Tourism
Key Activities
- Continue the collaborative partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC under the BC Declaration of the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act and Action Plan, the renewed Indigenous Tourism Accord and ITBC-DBC’s Guiding Principles.
- Strengthen Destination BC’s relationships with Indigenous communities.
- Strengthen Indigenous voices, values and presence in Destination BC’s work, with the approval of Indigenous People, and assist others throughout the tourism industry to do so as well.
- Work with Indigenous communities to explore their tourism opportunities, if and how they desire to.
- Assist Community DMOs and Visitor Centres to work more effectively with the Indigenous people on whose lands they conduct business.
- Support collaboration and connection between Indigenous Peoples and non-Indigenous Peoples throughout our programs and services.
- Continue to learn how best to do our work through lenses of reconciliation, DEIA, and stewardship, with an emphasis on cultural competencies and inclusive leadership. This includes embedding those practices within our hiring and training plans for all staff.
Measures
Industry Values our Programs
Indigenous Presence in Destination BC’s Work
Destination BC Employee Skills and Resources
Resident Value
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