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4.37

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4.37

4.37

Provide funding to assist Indigenous tourism businesses that have been financially impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, in order to further support recovery of the Indigenous tourism sector in B.C.

Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport

Current status

Year started

1

Current year

3

How far along
is this work?

4

How complicated
is this work?

4

Are there
challenges?

4

How are we
working together?

Action complete

Highlights

In 2021 and 2022, the Province allocated a total of $8 million through the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund to support the recovery and growth of Indigenous tourism businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Launched in February 2021, the fund provided grants to Indigenous-owned businesses, including lodges, resorts, restaurants, outdoor adventures, galleries, and gift shops. Delivered in partnership with Indigenous Tourism BC, the fund aimed to help businesses navigate the ongoing economic challenges posed by provincial restrictions during the pandemic.

Businesses received grants of up to $45,000 to cover expenses such as rent, utility bills, health and safety measures, and transitioning services online. The grants helped maintain or create nearly 1,200 jobs across communities in B.C. and supported over 300 Indigenous tourism businesses.

One example of the fund’s impact is Talaysay Tours in Vancouver, which used its grant to develop a virtual tour of Stanley Park. The interactive experience educates viewers about the local trees and plants of the Pacific Northwest, showcasing their historical use by Indigenous Peoples for food, medicine, and technology.

Brenda Baptiste, chair of Indigenous Tourism BC noted, “Indigenous Tourism British Columbia has worked hard with interest holders and provided a support system for businesses to continue operating during the pandemic.”

Previous years’ progress

2023/2024 highlights

Highlights – Action completed in 2023/2024

The Ministry of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport (TACS), in partnership with the Ministry of Social Development and Poverty Reduction (SDPR), provided $6 million to Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC) in March 2023, to develop and implement Indigenous-led and culturally focused training and educational opportunities for Indigenous tourism workers and employers.

The $6 million Indigenous tourism training initiative was officially announced at the ITBC AGM on October 25, 2023, by Lana Popham, Minister of Tourism, Arts, Culture and Sport, and launched immediately following the announcement. Employers and people working in Indigenous tourism can now grow their skills and education through programs designed to attract and retain Indigenous tourism talent, develop careers, and strengthen the sector. 

In February 2024, ITBC launched a landing page on the ITBC corporate website dedicated to the initiative. The landing page features four professional development and training options available for ITBC stakeholders, Indigenous tourism businesses, Indigenous entrepreneurs, or First Nations communities. This work reflects the first phase of the program, and ITBC looks forward to launching the second phase in the new fiscal year (FY24/25).

Programs open for application for ITBC stakeholders, Indigenous tourism businesses, Indigenous entrepreneurs, or First Nations communities include: first aid certifications; occupational, marine, and wilderness first aid, professional development series; working smart in meetings hybrid edition, customer service training; SuperHost certification, FOODSAFE; level 1 in addition to MarketSafe & ProcessSafe and Jelly Academy Digital Marketing Bootcamp.  

The Indigenous Tourism Training Initiative is off to a strong start and ITBC has received positive feedback on the first series of training and workshops.

2022/2023 progress details
Action 4.37 – Year 1 progress image shows: How far along – completed, how complicated is the work – some complexity, are there challenges – challenges resolved, how are we working together – some engagement.

Highlights

$5 million in initial relief funding allocated to Indigenous Tourism BC (ITBC). 140 grants were delivered to Indigenous tourism businesses.

A second intake of the BC Indigenous Tourism Recovery Fund was launched in January 2022, providing an additional $3 million to continue to support Indigenous tourism businesses. $3 million in additional relief funding was also allocated to ITBC. 161 grants were delivered to Indigenous tourism businesses.

Indicators

  • Number of grants delivered: 301 grants delivered to Indigenous tourism businesses.

How are we working together?

Funding responded to a recommendation from the Tourism Task Force, a consultation process developed through COVID-19 to identify needs of the tourism sector.

Are there challenges?

Action complete.