Intrepid Travel, the world's largest adventure travel company, has announced a significant partnership with the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada (ITAC), committing CA$500,000 over the next five years to bolster Indigenous tourism across the country. This collaboration aims to increase Indigenous-led experiences in Intrepid's Canadian itineraries, with a target of 75% inclusion by the end of 2026 and a long-term goal of 100%.
The partnership was unveiled at IMPACT, a leading conference on sustainability and innovation in tourism, held in Victoria, British Columbia. Christian Wolters, President of Canada at Intrepid Travel, emphasised the initiative's goal: "Every traveller who visits Canada with Intrepid should leave with a deeper connection and understanding of Indigenous culture."
Keith Henry, CEO and President of ITAC, highlighted the challenges faced by Indigenous-led businesses, such as limited funding and infrastructure. He stated, "Partnerships like this create tangible opportunities and ensure communities gain direct economic and cultural benefits."
The collaboration focuses on two main areas: development and promotion. Intrepid will invest CA$50,000 annually into the Indigenous Tourism of Canada Destination Fund to support ITAC's development of Indigenous-led tourism businesses. Additionally, another CA$50,000 will be allocated annually for promoting Indigenous tourism through media trips, advertising, and influencer partnerships.
This initiative is part of Intrepid Travel's broader expansion plans in Canada, which include opening a new operational hub in Squamish, British Columbia, in 2026. As a certified B Corp, Intrepid Travel continues to champion responsible and community-based tourism globally, offering over 100 Indigenous community experiences worldwide.
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