Tourism needs: 5 ways to get involved!

Did you see this article that was published in Le Soleil in recent weeks? « Des années difficiles » attendent le tourisme autochtone au Canada (“difficult years” ahead for Indigenous tourism in Canada). It reveals that tariffs threaten Indigenous businesses, even though many of them are still struggling to recover from the pandemic.

The next stop in our 5 ways to get involved series … tourism! This is an area where we must act quickly to avoid a significant slowdown. Here is a brief overview of the current situation, before we offer 5 concrete ways to make a difference. 🧡

 

A look at the current situation

Quebecers are keenly interested in Indigenous tourism. More than 70% are attracted to Indigenous art, history, and cultures, and 90% are interested in tourism activities such as visiting museums, exhibitions and powwows.

However, this interest does not always result in taking action: 53% of Quebecers have never participated in an Indigenous tourism or cultural activity (Quebec Indigenous Tourism, 2022).

Moreover, a post-pandemic economic context is hampering the sector’s recovery:

  • Inflation is weighing heavily on the industry, leading to a 22% drop in revenue since 2019, from $3.8 billion to $3 billion in 2023.
  • The labour shortage is a major issue with current employees fearing for their future due to the sector’s financial difficulties: “Everyone is on edge. Everyone thinks they’re going to lose their jobs”, said Sébastien Desnoyers-Picard, Vice-President of the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada, in Le Soleil.

 

Opportunities for non-Indigenous organizations

Despite the challenges mentioned, Indigenous tourism continues to grow. In 2023, more than 2,750 Indigenous tourism businesses were registered in Canada, compared to 1,900 in 2021.

Furthermore, interest in Indigenous tourism is not limited to Quebecers; it is also strong among international tourists:

  • One in three international visitors is interested in Indigenous activities in Canada.
  • 63% of French visitors are attracted by these experiences.
  • 47% of German visitors are interested in Indigenous tourism.

By 2030, the Indigenous Tourism Association of Canada aims to contribute $6 billion to Canada’s GDP and create 60,000 direct jobs. This represents a strategic opportunity for Quebec businesses to engage in a booming sector.

 

Developing Indigenous tourism – 5 ways to get involved

Here are 5 ways you can take action to improve the current situation of Indigenous tourism in Quebec.

 

  1. Support the hiring of workers 💼

The Indigenous tourism sector is facing a labour shortage. Since 2019, the number of employees has fallen by 5% despite growing demand from Quebec and international tourists. Contributing to the acquisition and retention of workers in the Indigenous tourism sector is one way to address this issue.

 

  1. Improve access to tourist attractions in remote areas 🛣️

The remoteness of many Indigenous communities makes access to tourism difficult. These regions are often poorly served by transportation and lack signage to guide visitors. Furthermore, they are located far away from major tourist centres like Montreal and Quebec City. To address this, businesses can take action by improving access to and visibility of attractions, for example, by improving signage or establishing tourist bus tours.

 

  1. Support the fight against cultural appropriation 🐻

One of the challenges related to tourists’ growing enthusiasm for Indigenous cultures is cultural appropriation. This interest, combined with a lack of awareness, can lead tourists to purchase allegedly authentic products rather than items that are actually made by Indigenous people. To protect the cultural integrity and identity of First Nations in Quebec, it is important to support and promote businesses, products, and services whose authenticity has been verified, such as those bearing the First Nations Identification seal.

 

  1. Financially support the Indigenous tourism sector 🤝

Indigenous tourism needs financial support and investment to revive the industry. Implementing new financing mechanisms, such as loan guarantees, could help overcome non-garnishment among on-reserve developers, thereby facilitating access to financing for Indigenous businesses.

 

  1. Increase the visibility of Indigenous tourist attractions 🔍

Most international tourists arrive through Montreal and Quebec City. Providing greater visibility to Indigenous tourist attractions in these major cities would help guide visitors to Indigenous destinations, thereby improving the sector’s economic impact. This could include displaying attractions (visually and digitally) or directing visitors to these attractions in tourist information centres.

 

They are committed to Indigenous tourism!

The Coopérative de développement régional du Québec (CDRQ) is collaborating with Indigenous Tourism as part of the Plan d’action secteurs stratégiques tourisme et loisir (PASTEL).

The Port de Baie-Comeau is developing a partnership with the Innu community of Pessamit in the areas of tourism (international cruises) and economic development (co-investment and support for Indigenous business projects).

 

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